CECED1 is in favour of further developing the efficient use of resources though sustainable consumption, production and the promotion of a sustainable industrial policy both within the EU and internationally. All sectors and stakeholders have their part to play. The home appliance industry can provide a significant contribution through innovative products that cut energy and water use and through improved end-of life recycling techniques. We strongly support the current key environmental policy instruments in our sector – Ecodesign, the Energy Label and the WEEE & RoHS legislation. Over the years these European legislative requirements have delivered concrete resource efficiency benefits.

Energy Related Products Legislation

The Ecodesign Directive and the Energy Label Directive cover the use phase of our products, which accounts for 80-90% of the industry’s environmental impact2. The legislation helps drive the least efficient products from the market.

The EU Energy Label is proving to be a key instrument in driving consumers towards appliances that are more efficient both in terms of both energy and water use.

As illustrated on the following page, an appliance on the market today consumes less than half of the energy used by an appliance 20 years ago. Ecodesign policy also plays a key role in pushing the market towards more energy and water efficient appliances.

End of Life Product Legislation

The industry welcomes the EU Resource Efficiency Roadmap’s focus on waste. Much WEEE has value, and waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) is the fastest growing waste stream in Europe.

The industry has made considerable investments ensuring the recycling and treatment of e-waste. This has been further enhanced in recent years by the development of WEEE handling and treatment standards at EU level through the EU standardisation process.

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(1) CECED represents the household appliance industry in Europe.

Direct Members are: Arçelik, Ariston Thermo Group, BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, Candy Group, Daikin Europe, De’Longhi, AB Electrolux, Fagor Group, Gorenje d.d., Indesit Company, Liebherr Hausgeräte, LG Electronics, Miele & Cie. GmbH & Co., Philips D.A.P., Samsung, Groupe SEB, Vorwerk and Whirlpool Europe.

CECED’s member associations cover the following countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

(2) As measured in the Commission’s Ecodesign preparatory studies - http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/studies/ecodesign_en.htm

To read the full PR, please see the document in attachment.