The European Parliament agreed on a new and more robust A to G scale showing the energy efficiency of household appliances to keep pace with technological progress, it announced on Tuesday.
"Members of the parliament (MEPs) gave the green light on Tuesday for a tool enabling customers to choose products reducing energy consumption and their energy bills," the statement released by the Parliament read.
The EU introduced the first energy label in 1994, classifying appliances from G as least efficient to A as most efficient. As manufacturers improved the efficiency of their products, the label was extended to A+++. However, the introduction of A+ and higher classes reduced the effectiveness of the energy label as most products now tended to be in Class A or higher.
MEPs voted on the proposal to restore the original A-G scale and to establish a mechanism for rescaling to accommodate further improvements in energy efficiency without having to create new classes. It was approved by 535 votes to 46, with 79 abstentions.
"Customers will be able to choose more efficient products in order to reduce energy consumption and their energy bills, while manufacturers will be encouraged to innovate and invest in more energy efficient products," the statement added.
Customers should be able to see the first labels with the new rating scale without the "+” ("A+/A++/etc.”) indications in shops at the earliest at the end of 2019.
(Anadolu Agency)
