Council and Parliament clinch eco-design deal, adopt directive

摘要

Tough negotiations between Council and the European Parliament brought a final hour deal over the eco-design of energy-using products (EuP) just days before the assembly was due to vote in second reading. The deal meant the two headed off drawn out talks in conciliation committee which had looked almost certain. Under the deal Parliament had to cede ground over third party certification and accept that manufacturers will self-certify compliance with the directive's implementing measures. But the European Commission and Council had to agree to Parliament's demand that the directive set out a list of product groups that would be first to see implementing measures. The EuP law will not regulate products directly rather it lays down broad energy efficiency requirements that cover a product once the Commission has adopted a specific implementing measure.