Nov. 30, 2008
In July the EU adopted a key policy package of first-ever eco-design standards for appliances, thereby fixing maximum power consumption for 'standby' modes across a range of products. The measure is the first of its kind proposed by the European Commission, and several others are likely to follow, though green groups believe that the initial proposals are unacceptably weak.
"We are happy that the commission has finally published these proposals," said Michael Warhurst of Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE), "but it is essential that they be widened to properly address the environmental impacts of all products, nut just focus on energy-related products." FoEE has also expressed concerns that the EC plan, with a focus on voluntary measures, is unlikely to deliver sufficiently concrete results.
According to Ends Europe Daily, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas claimed shortly after the plan's adoption that the scope of [a] revised directive would grow from covering one-third to two-thirds of all products on the EU market.
