The report outlines progress in council discussions on a package of draft energy efficiency legislation covering buildings' energy performance, energy labelling and tyre labelling. Talks on all three proposals will continue under the Swedish EU presidency in the second half of the year.

The most substantive discussions in the Council of Ministers have so far centred on efficient buildings, according to the report. A number of governments have expressed concern with several of the amendments proposed by MEPs in their first reading of the plans.

Many delegations have also called for the revised rules to put more of an emphasis on improving efficiency in new buildings, rather than existing ones. One suggestion is to reduce a current 1,000 square metre threshold above which existing buildings undergoing major refurbishment must meet minimum national efficiency standards to 250 m3, rather than scrap it altogether as proposed by the European Commission.

On tyre labelling, some governments want to adopt a new environmental performance label "as soon as feasible". Many also support the parliament's call for a regulation on tyres rather than a directive as proposed by the commission. The EU executive will table an amended proposal in the form of a regulation shortly, according to the report.

Several governments have expressed doubts over the inclusion of construction products in draft revised EU energy labelling rules. Some are also sceptical of the commission's plan to set minimum efficiency standards for green public procurement and public incentive schemes through product-specific implementing measures. MEPs adopted their first reading position on the plans in May.