Page 21 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2019 publication
P. 21
Winter 2019 European Energy Innovation 21
PRODUCT EFFICIENCY
According to the European This effort, along with energy We need to achieve our goals in the
Commission (EC), the consumption labelling, is also simplest way possible and we need a
investment made by bringing us closer to achieving our stable framework without surprises.
manufacturers in eco- climate goals. Again, according to In other words, legislators must
design will soon be saving consumers EC estimates, the efficiency gains mimic the levels of efficiency they are
an average 490 euros in energy bills represent nearly half of the reduction demanding from the industry.
per household every year. in energy consumption and about
one quarter of the emissions That is not to say that everything is
reduction targeted by the European already done from a regulatory point
Union for 2020. of view. It never is.
Let us not forget the benefits for For instance, some years ago,
the European industry itself, with questions arose in regards to the
estimates of combined savings and labelling system, as brands started
extra earnings reaching a whopping to add “+” signs (one or several) to
€45 billion. their A level products. This led to
confusion among consumers. In 2017,
When speaking about products, the regulations changed to prevent
whether they are household this and, from 2021 on, new products
appliances, lighting or smartphones will be labelled in a simple “A” to “G”
and computers, energy efficiency is scale, with the corresponding colour
definitely a good deal. In addition, it pattern (green to red).
is also very much a moral imperative:
the climate crisis we are experiencing When we think about what is coming
compels us to take those steps. in terms of European Commission
priorities for product policy, the call
In November, I had the opportunity for a strong development of the
to host the “Europeans Favourite circular economy is without a doubt
Products 2019-24” event, in the something that will require attention.
European Parliament, organized by
three of the majors players in the Again, the advantages of this strategy
market: APPLiA, DIGITALEUROPE and seem undisputable. Both from an
LightingEurope. I must say that I was environmental and from an economic
impressed by the level of engagement point of view. Reusing products and
to this strategy shown by the industry product components will reduce
and other stakeholders. waste, carbon emissions and energy
consumption. It will create new
Of course, there are concerns, businesses and jobs, stimulating the
particularly regarding the possibility growth of secondary markets. It will
of disruptive changes emerging empower citizens. As it was the case
from the new Product Framework for the recent advancements in terms
Policy. However, there is also a strong of reparability.
commitment to keep Europe leading
the way in terms of sustainable However, we have to make sure
technologies. that product safety remains top
priority. To do that, we need a clear
I believe in the ability of industry, and comprehensive set of rules and
particularly in our European mechanisms. We must decide what
ecosystem, to adjust to the components can be reused and in
challenges we are facing without what conditions. We must determine
a strong interference from the what to do with those components
legislators. that are not recyclable, many of them
potentially hazardous to human
Legislation must be evidence-based, health and the environment. We must
considering ethical values. It must know exactly who answers for the
not create unnecessary additional safety of this process in each of its
administrative burdens to businesses. steps. l
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