The European EcoThe European EcoThe European EcoThe European Eco----Label ProjectLabel ProjectLabel ProjectLabel Project

N°17.020100.01/04(03)/377896

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CONTENTS Foreword

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. The associations

1.1.1 Adiconsum.

1.1.2 CECU

1.1.3 CLCV

1.1.4 ERICA

1.2. Survey goals and scope

1.2.1 Research the laws, regulations and standards governing eco-labels, labels and environment-related messages on electrical household appliances across Europe

1.2.2 Measure results against reality

1.2.3 Summarise results, identify consumer needs.

1.3. The method

1.3.1. Legislation and reference research.

1.3.2. Analyse outlet-survey findings in various countries

1.3.3. Analyse customer-survey results in various countries

2. SURVEY PART 1: The situation today

2.1. The labels, markings, logos and signs conveyin g environment-related messages on electrical household appliances

2.1.1. Compulsory labels

2.1.2. Voluntary labels

� The general rules governing voluntary labels

� Voluntary regulated labels (Eco-labels)

� Other ISO standards

2.1.3. Summary chart (label classification) 2.2. The labels used in all surveyed countries: the European eco-label

(daisy) and energy label

2.2.1. The energy label. � European legislation � French legislation � Spanish legislation

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� Italian legislation � German legislation � UK legislation

2.2.2. The European Eco-label.

� Environmental criteria � European legislation

2.2.3 WEEE label

2.3. Country labels

2.3.1. National eco-labels. � Germany’s Blue Angel (Blauer Engel) � France’s NF Environnement seal � Scandinavia’s White Swan

2.3.2. Other third party labels � Spain’s Medio Ambiente label � EST � Label Green A � GEEA � Energy Star

2.3.3 Self-declared claims (ISO 14021) � Ecological Gas � Mobius loop

2.3.4 Environmental declarations (ISO 14025)

2.3.5 Certifier seals. � IMQ � IMQ-EMC � IMQ-EMC International � ASTA BEAB � TUV-GS � TUV-EMV-EMC � TUV TYPE APPROVED � VDU � Eurovent

2.4. Results

2.4.1. Countries.

2.4.2. Labels and certifying organisations

2.5. Summary

2.5.1. Official labels

2.5.2. Other third party labels, self-declared claims and eco-profiles

2.5.3. Certifier labels

3. SURVEY PART 2: In the field 3.1. Results

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3.1.1. France

3.1.2. Spain

3.1.3. Italy

3.2. A summary of findings in the three surveyed co untries

3.2.1. Official labels

3.2.2. Other third party labels, self-declared claims and eco-profiles

3.2.3. Certifier labels 3.3. Conclusions

4. SURVEY PART 2: Focus groups 4.1. Results

4.1.1. France

4.1.2. Spain

4.1.3. Italy 4.2. A summary of findings in the three surveyed co untries 4.3. Conclusions

5. SUMMING UP, PROPOSALS

5.1. National 5.2. European

6. APPENDICES (an other report) 6.1. Bibliography

6.1.1. Internet 6.1.2. Surveys 6.1.3. Contact details

6.2. Association’s reports

6.2.1. CECU 6.2.2. CLCV 6.2.3. ADICONSUM 6.2.4. ERICA

6.3. Questionnaires 6.3.1. In the fields 6.3.2. Focus Group

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FFoorreewwoorrdd Today’s consumers are increasingly aware of environmental issues, and keen to find out more about the environmental aspects of the products they can buy. Authorities, manufacturers and distributors are aware of this growing concern and have started developing more specific and more comprehensive labels (sometimes through legislative channels, sometimes through voluntary initiatives). A mushrooming array of labels (in the food industry, in particular) and a commensurate lack of homogeneity can ultimately confuse consumers and hamper acknowledged environmental initiatives. The information on a number of labels, furthermore, is dubious and misleading. A 1999 DGCCRF1 memorandum about the environmental claims on consumer goods (not electrical household appliances in this case) found that 60% of the products under scrutiny made unfounded environmental claims. Consumers look for environmental information when they are shopping for electrical household appliances because they know that efficient ones can make a sizeable dent in their electricity bills. Information is considerably easier to find thanks to the energy label and thanks to the European Directives that spawned them. But what about other impacts? This survey takes stock of environmental and energy labelling practices in a segment that holds considerable impact: electrical household appliances. The results of the survey have helped us draw up recommendations for the consumer’s benefit. We would like to thank EU Commission DG Health and Consumer Protection for its help in co-financing the project.

1 DGCCRF circular 1999-183 on untruthful or misleading advertising, published by the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry’s agency in charge of consumer protection, fair competition and fraud prevention.

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II IINNTTRROODDUUCCTTIIOONN 1.1 The Associations

1.1.1 ADICONSUM (a consumer and environment-protection association)2

Adiconsum was founded in 1987 by CISL, a trade union, and counts more than 70,000 members today. It protects consumer interests independently from political parties, government and trade unions (its founder included). It is active across Italy through its 170 local branches that provide information and advice for consumers. It is supported by the work of 35 full-time operatives, 105 part-time staff and hundreds of volunteers. Adiconsum’s consumer protection efforts involve promoting consumer interests before Italian and European institutions, and giving help and advice to individual consumers directly. Its various departments deal with a variety of issues including product quality and safety; contract equity and transparency; energy saving and environmental protection; financial, banking and insurance services (ethical finance included); food quality and safety; excessive debt and extortionate-lending prevention; public-service cost and quality; consumer awareness; Internet security, commerce and services; and travel and tourism. See www.adiconsum.it for details.

1.1.2 CECU (a consumer and user confederation)3

CECU was founded in 1983 and it is formed by independent associations from different Autonomous Communities of the country, its headquarters are in Madrid and Valencia.

The Confederation’s main activity is the representation of consumers in bodies of public institutions in which consumers are represented at national and international level. CECU is a full member of the European Association of Consumers (BEUC) and full member – and member of the Council - of the International umbrella for consumer associations Consumers International, and the European Association for the Co-ordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation (ANEC), also is a member of the CIOA (the Spanish inter-ministerial Foodstuffs Commission).

CECU has organised five Congresses to deal with Spanish and Latin American consumer affairs, in which consumer associations from 18 countries have participated. These sessions have resulted in Collaboration Agreements signed by a number of associations, which formed the basis for joint activities in Spain and Latin America. CECU carries out consumer information and education campaigns and collaborates in institutional campaigns of national and European Community origin. See www.cecu.es for details.

2 See appendix p. 58 3 See appendix p. 3

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1.1.3 CLCV (an association for consumer protection, housing and quality of life)4

CLCV is an umbrella NGO encompassing 375 local consumer associations. It was founded 50 years ago by a group of people striving to improve their contemporaries’ living conditions and to protect consumers’ rights.

CLCV acts primarily through its network of volunteers and employees. Its initiatives cover a broad spectrum spanning every aspect of day-to-day life. It bases its initiatives on the information it can gather from consumers. It likewise campaigns to promote environmental awareness among manufacturers, distributors and consumers. Underlying its efforts is the conviction that consumers are the driving force behind this trend. See www.clcv.org details.

1.1.4 European Research into Consumer Affairs (ERICA)5

Founded in 1980 by Eirlys Roberts CBE as the European equivalent of RICA (Research into Consumer Affairs) whose task was to tackle the needs of people who might not join an organisation for consumers. ERICA's Board counts directors from Greece, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the UK. ERICA's mission is to improve life for Europe’s consumers in general, and the vulnerable in particular. It does so through research leading to action and through consumer education. It is especially concerned with the problems of Europe’s least advantaged consumers (those on low incomes, children, ethnic minorities, women, the undereducated, the disabled, the unemployed, pensioners and those in debt). ERICA’s network of organisations, which are concerned with families, disabilities, parents/teachers, the elderly or consumers in general and include organisation in the candidate countries, gives it a wide access to consumers, including low-income consumers. See www.net-consumers.org for details.

4 See appendix p. 48 5 See appendix page 75

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1.2 Survey goals and scope ● Survey goals follow.

1.2.1 Examine Europe’s legislation, regulations and standards � Map out country-specific and European laws, regulations and standards

governing eco-labels, labels, signs and markings on electrical household appliances.

� Compile relevant literature (on general or sector-specific initiatives, and documents pertaining to energy and eco-labelling in the various countries under review).

� Compare country findings, and compile them into a snapshot of the framework today.

1.2.2 Measure results against reality

� With a field survey in Spanish, French and Italian outlets.

� With consumer focus groups in Spain, France and Italy.

1.2.3 Summarise results, identify consumer needs � Analyse country findings.

� Distil consumer needs.

� Consumer-association proposals6. This survey covers five electrical household appliances, accounting for a sizeable portion of household equipment: France

(2003) 7 Italy (2003)

UK (2003)8

Germany (2004)9

Spain (2003)10

Refrigerators 98.5%) 99.4%11) 96% 99% 99.73% Washing machines 95% 97% 94% 95.5% 98.26% Dishwashers 42.5% 35% 31% 56.7% 30.91% Air conditioners 10%12 16.4% Microwave ovens 74.3%13 36%14 89% 62.3% 68.72%

6 CLCV (France), ADICONSUM (Italy) and CECU (Spain). 7 Source: GIFAM (Household appliance manufacturer federation) survey 8 Source: General Household Survey 2003, The Government Statistical Service 9 Source: Federal Statistical Office, Germany (Statistischen Bundesamt Deutschland) 10 Source: INE (National Institute of Statistics) 11 Source of information on refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and air conditioners: ISTAT (National Institute of Statistics) 12 Source: AFCE (Refrigeration, air-conditioning and environmental alliance) survey 13 Source: INSEE (National Institute of Statistics ans Economic Studies) 14 Source: Federcomin/ANIE

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1.3 The method

The survey involved three phases:

1.3.1. Legislation and reference research (to assess existing initiatives

involving environmental and other labels)

� Reference research involving perusal of information supplied by a number of private and public organisations (see appendixes) and consumer associations15.

� Legislation research involving perusal of documents on the EEC website (Eur-lex).

1.3.2. Analysis of outlet-survey findings in various countries

� We ran the field survey in three European countries (Spain, France and Italy).

Consumer-association researchers visited outlets with a set questionnaire to assess the nature and the quality of labels on five categories of electrical household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens and household air conditioners).

They visited about thirty retail outlets of the following types:

o supermarkets and hypermarkets,

o chain stores selling electrical household appliances and

o independent retail outlets selling electrical household appliances.

� The outlets

o France: Darty, Carrefour, But, Boulanger, Conforama, Hypermédiat, Cora, Auchan, Leclerc and Planète Saturne;

o Spain: Cocinas Icoar, Canovas Electrodomesticos, Master, Tien 21, Expert, Cocinas, El Corte Ingles, Alcazar, Corvitel, Elite Center, Confort, Ges Electodomésticos, Ecogar, Idea, Tecnotol, Ivarte, Alcampo, Miro, Milar, Media Mark, Hermanos Perez, Carrefour and Menaje del Hogar.

o Italy: Grossi stock, Mediaworld, Sidis, Carrefour, Freecomic, Eldo, Trony, Morgan Electronics, Sessa. Nova elettronica

� The number of outlets surveyed

o France: 30

o Spain: 30

o Italy: 35

15 CLCV, ADICONSUM, CECU, ERICA and EUROCOOP

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� The cities

o France: Paris, Mulhouse, Lille and La Roche sur Yon.

o Spain: Bilbao, Murcia, Toledo, Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid.

o Italy: Rome, Frascati, Prato, Florence and Vicchio.

We ran these surveys to probe for any differences between labels on appliances in shops and the laws, regulations and standards governing those labels. These surveys also provided an impression of the legibility of consumer information on those labels.

� Th, survey’s questionnaire16

Consumer associations drew up the questionnaire. Researchers used it to note (for each of the five electrical household appliance categories under review):

� the number of appliances,

� the number of energy labels,

� the number of eco-labels, other labels, markings, self-declared claims, etc. and

� the number of certifier logos.

The questionnaire was devised to shed light on the environmental messages that manufacturers or distributors are sending out to consumers.

Researchers were also given a document containing 12 other logos they might find on appliances. That document included Germany’s Blue Angel, Scandinavia’s White Swan, the Energy Star label, Italy’s IMQ, etc.

� Data processing

A table compiling field data shed light on labeling and environmental trends in each country under review.

16 See appendix page 113

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1.3.3. Analysis of consumer-survey findings in various countries

� Organising consumer focus groups

o The consumer associations in each of the three countries organised six focus groups (each including eight consumers).

o The consumer panels included men and women aged 25 to 60 and spanning the gamut of social and professional categories.

� The cities

o France: Paris, Mulhouse and Lille.

o Spain: Valencia.

o Italy: Rome and Florence.

� The questionnaire17

The questionnaire allowed interviewers in each country to gauge:

� consumer awareness of eco-labels and of various environmental messages,

� how consumers perceived eco-labels and how visible they were on products,

� how consumers perceived other markings and logos and

� consumer’s expectations.

17 See appendix page 114

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IIII SSUURRVVEEYY PPAARRTT 11:: TThhee ssii ttuuaatt iioonn ttooddaayy 2.1 The labels, markings, logos and signs conveying environment-related messages on electrical household appliances

During the preliminary survey, we listed a series of signs that might appear on electrical household appliances.

2.1.1. Compulsory labels

� Energy labels

These labels contain specific information that has to be provided on products, as a legal prerequisite for their sale. The information is based on the technical information provided by the producer and, as such, is therefore self-declared.

� WEEE labels18

These labels are placed on electrical and electronic equipment to indicate that the producers of these items are responsible for the financing, collecting, treatment and recycling of their products19 that are for sale. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, (Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council) as amended by Directive 2003/108/EC, aims to minimize the impacts of electrical and electronic equipment on the environment during their life times and when they become waste.

2.1.2. Voluntary labels

� The general rules governing voluntary labels

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a network of the national standards institutes of 156 countries. It does not create standards but co-ordinates those developing them so that a consensus can be reached on international standards for goods and services which can then be measured to assure conformity, quality, safety and reliability. ISO standards are voluntary. As a non-governmental organization, ISO has no legal authority to enforce their implementation. A certain percentage of ISO standards - mainly those concerned with health, safety or the environment - have been adopted in some countries as part of their regulatory framework, or is referred to in legislation for which it serves as the technical basis.

18 The WEEE label was not surveyed in the shop and consumer focus group research because it became compulsory after this was completed. 19 This list is not exhaustive but WEEE legislation includes refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, toasters, coffee machines, PCs, printers, mobile phones, radios, TVs, videos, lighting, saws, drills, sewing machines, smoke detectors, heating regulators, electric toy trains and video games.

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� The ISO 14020 standard on environmental claims and labels provides the general guidelines principles for the development and use of environmental labels and declarations. It is intended that other applicable standards in the ISO 14020 series be used in conjunction with this International Standard. This standard covers official eco-labels as well as self-declared claims.

� ISO 14020 sets out nine general principles that apply not only to labeling schemes but to all environmental claims, designed to promote accurate, verifiable and relevant information.

As part of its ISO 14000 series of environmental standards, ISO has drawn up a group of standards specifically governing environmental labelling. The ISO 14020 series covers three types of labeling schemes:

• Type I a voluntary, multiple-criteria based, third party program that awards a license authorizing the use of environmental labels on products and indicates that they are environmentally preferable overall within that product type based on life cycle considerations;

• Type II is a single-attribute label developed by the producer;

• Type III voluntary programs that provide quantified environmental data of a product, under pre-set categories of parameters set by a qualified third party and based on life cycle assessment, and verified by that or another qualified third party.

� ISO 14020 standard

� Voluntary regulated labels (eco-labels) - ISO 14024

Eco-labels are voluntary signs regulated by official conventions.

� These are type-I environmental claims. ISO 14024 governs these schemes.

Manufacturers are not legally required to produce goods which qualify for eco-labels. But, if they choose to seek certification, they have to fulfill a number of criteria (drawn up by different stakeholders) and undergo inspection by an independent organization.

Once they have earned certification, products are allowed to sport a specific logo, issued by an authorized organization, and vouching for the fact that they meet established ecological criteria.

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� ISO 14024 standard on environmental claims and labelling (Type-1 environmental labelling) establishes the guiding principles and practices, criteria procedures and guidance for certification procedures for the development of multiple criteria-based, third party environmental labeling programs.

These rules involve:

� providing accurate, pertinent and transparent information;,

� ensuring a variety of stakeholders work on criterion and procedure development,

� keeping competition fair.

Type-I labels involve the following.

1) A manufacturer’s initiative .

2) The award of a label on condition that the product meets given criteria.

3) Criteria based on the product’s life-cycle analysis.

4) Label award hinges on a product’s impact throughout its life cycle, and criteria vary from one product category to another.

5) Criteria are available to any interested party, but fees apply.

Type-I label examples

� The EU Daisy or Little Flower (the official EU eco-label).

� The Blue Angel eco-label in Germany.

� The White Swan eco-label in Scandinavia (Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden).

� The NF Environment eco-label in France.

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� The ISO 14021 standard for self-declared environmental claims (Type-II labelling) This standard states that vague or non-specific claims which broadly imply some environmental benefit must not be used for a product or service, for example, claims containing words such as caring and green, as well as allegations such as environmentally-friendly, planet-friendly, nature’s friend and protects the ozone layer.

Claims must: � be tested and verified;

� apply to the product and context in question;

� state clearly whether they involve the product as a whole, one of its components, the packaging, or an aspect of a service;

� specify environmental qualities, or the way in which the product benefits the environment;

� be unlikely to mislead;

� not imply that the product is endorsed or certified by an outside organization if it is not.

Symbols are optional.

It also specifies the requirements associated with the 12 most frequently-used claims, which are:

1. recycled content

2. reduced resource use

3. recovered energy

4. reduced waste

5. reduced energy consumption

6. reduced water consumption

7. extended-life product

8. reusable or refillable

9. recyclable

10. designed for disassembly

11. able to be composted

12. degradable

� Voluntary non-regulated signs - self-declarations - ISO 14021

� These are type-II environmental claims. ISO 14021 governs these schemes.

Manufacturers or distributors develop and issue these labels. No independent organizations vouch for the products’ alleged ecological benefits. They can be in the form of text, symbols or graphics. These self-declared claims are used to inform consumers about certain products, enabling them to consider them as ecological products.

ISO has developed the standard ISO 14021 to control Type-II labeling which prevents untruthful advertising to promote products or services.

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� Voluntary environmental declarations ISO 14025I

� These are type-III environmental declarations - principals and procedures. ISO 14025 governs these schemes.

The ISO 14025 standard describes the procedures and requirements regarding how to establish and implement Type III environmental product declaration (EPD) programmes. These are voluntary programs are based on life-cycle assessment (LCA) and drawn up by manufacturers in full consultation with stakeholders and competitors. The standard requires manufacturers to communicate quantitative information about the composition, environmental characteristics and impact of products which consumers can then use in making purchase decisions.

� Other ISO standards There are several other ISO standards which provide principles and guidelines in ISO 14000 series of environmental standards including: � The ISO 14023 standard sets out the life cycle assessment method. � The ISO 14062 standard deals with building environmental considerations into product development.

This document contains technical information and tools to help professionals identify environmental variables and integrate them into the goods and services which they are developing.

� ISO 14025 standards for type III labelling set out the guidelines governing eco-profile claims.

The underlying goal is to provide quantitative data about a product’s environmental impact (a snapshot at a given point in time).

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2.1.3 Summary Chart – the labels that might appear on electrical household appliances en Europe

COMPULSORY VOLUNTARY Specific information required

by law for any product going on the market

Information about one or more product features or about the production process, supplied on a voluntary basis.

Official Private General Country-specific

Environmental or energy-

related.

Certifier logos

Other logos, not addressing environmental considerations but also seen

on certain products.

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2.2 The labels used in all surveyed countries: the EU energy label, the European eco-label (the daisy), and the WEEE la bel

2.2.1 The energy label

The European Union created this label in 199220 to help consumers compare the energy consumption levels of two electrical household appliances of the same type.

These labels have to be displayed conspicuously on all appliances for which EU legislation is applicable.

They were made compulsory in:

France Italy Germany UK Spain

Refrigerators 1995 1998 1998 199521 199522

Washing machines

1998 1999 1998 1996 1996

Dishwashers 1998 2000 1998 1999 1998

Air conditioners

2003 2003 2005

Energy labels tell consumers how much energy an appliance consumes, inter alia (they also tell them how noisy an appliance is, for example). Each criterion is measured using the same yardstick, so consumers can compare any two models of the same appliance type.

Labels rank appliances on a seven-category scale. Category A appliances consume the least, category G appliances the most.

The most efficient: category A, B and C appliances do not consume much energy (as little as 55% less than a category-D appliance).

The middle: categories C and D.

The least efficient: Category E, F and G appliances guzzle energy.

A category-G appliance, it is worth pointing out, can consume as much as three times more energy than a category-A appliance yielding comparable performance levels.

As most appliances are built to last more than 10 years on average, some category-A appliances can cut as much as €600 off their owners’ electricity bills throughout their lifetime (depending on their size).

In Europe, practically every electrical household appliance on the market is in category A or higher (categories, A+ and A++). An appliance in category A+, as a point of reference, consumes 10% less than an appliance in category A.

20 Council Directive 92/75/EEC of 22 September 1992 on the indication by labeling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances. 21 In UK, legislation for A+ and A++ categories for refrigerators and freezers implemented in 2004 22 In Spain, legislation for A+ and A++ categories for refrigerators and freezers implemented in 2003

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Labels contain other information, which varies from one appliance to another:

Washing machines

Consumption kWh/cycle

Washing efficiency

Spinning efficiency

Capacity (kg of cotton)

Water consumption

Noise level

Dishwashers Consumption kWh/cycle

Washing efficiency

Drying efficiency Place settings

Water consumption

Noise level

Refrigerators Consumption kWh/cycle

Capacity (fresh food)

Capacity (frozen food)

Noise level

Washer/dryers Consumption kWh/cycle

Consumption (washing kWh/cycle only)

Washing efficiency

Capacity (washing)

Capacity (drying)

Water consumption

Noise level

Air conditioners Annual energy consumption Kwh in cooling mode

Energy efficiency ratio

Type

(either cooling or cooling and heating)

air cooled

or

water cooled

Heat output Kw

Heat performance A-G

Noise level

Today, no European directive regulates energy labeling on microwave ovens. At the time of this report's publication, we believe that only Germany, Greece, Italy and UK have transposed, into their national law, Directive 2002/31/EC together with the measures made in accordance with harmonized standards (EN 14511) for the compulsory labeling of air conditioners.

� European legislation

The main goal behind European legislation is to harmonize the systems used to convey information about an appliance’s consumption of energy and of other essential resources in different countries. The ultimate goal is to help consumers choose the most energy-efficient appliances.

One result of those efforts, the 1992 Council Directive 92/75/EEC, provided a framework for the mandatory introduction of standardized information about how much energy and other resources household appliances consume, in the form of uniform labels containing standard information about the products for sale (whether they are sold to be used in homes or otherwise).

The Directive applies to the following household appliances: � refrigerators, freezers and combinations, � washing machines, tumble driers and combinations, � dishwashers, � ovens, � appliances producing and storing hot water, � sources of light and � air conditioning appliances.

Appliances Label information

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� Household appliances available for sale, hire or hire-purchase must include a fact sheet and a label specifying how much power (electrical or otherwise) and other essential resources they consume.

Producers are required to produce technical literature underpinning the information on the label and fact sheet. This literature should include:

• a general product description, • design-calculation results if and as required, • test reports and • clarification if similar models provide different figures.

Producers are responsible for providing accurate information on the labels and fact sheets. Their agreement to publish that information is likewise assumed.

� Producers are required to provide distributors with a free-of-charge label to affix to their product, and a product-specific fact sheet. Both have to mirror the information provided in the product brochure and/or in any other literature supplied with the appliance.

� Member States:

� make sure suppliers and distributors in their territory honor Directive requirements,

� make sure suppliers and distributors do not use energy-consumption labels, signs, symbols or inscriptions that fall short of this Directive’s requirements and/or might mislead consumers (except national or community eco-labels) and

� run educational and promotional campaigns aimed at persuading consumers to use energy more responsibly.

When Member States have reason to believe that the information on labels or fact sheets might be inaccurate, they can ask suppliers for evidence substantiating their claims.

� The implementation decrees stemming from this Directive specify:

- the exact type of appliance they apply to,

- the standards and methods used to gauge energy consumption,

- required technical literature,

- label layout and content,

- where the label has to be affixed on the appliance,

- the information that has to be provided in the fact sheet, including the information also provided on the label (and possibly format-related requirements) and

- the information that has to be supplied in the case of a mail-order sale.

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� Later developments relevant to this research

Commission Directive 94/2/EC of 21 January 1994 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household electric refrigerators, freezers and their combinations Commission Directive 95/12/EC of 23 May 1995 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household washing machines Directive 96/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 September 1996 on energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations thereof Commission Directive 97/17/EC of 16 April 1997 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household dishwashers Commission Directive 2002/31/EC of 22 March 2002 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household air-conditioners Commission Directive 2003/66/EC of 3 July 2003 amending Directive 94/2/EC implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household electric refrigerators, freezers and their combinations

� French legislation

A number of French laws embedding the European Directive govern the use of energy-related labels in France:

Decree 94-566 of 7 July 1994 on specifying the energy-consumption and noise-emitting levels of household appliances.

The 16 February 1995 bylaw implementing Decree 94-566 passed 7 July 1994, with regard to energy-consumption information on household refrigerators, freezers and combined electrical appliances (amended by a bylaw on 30 June 2004).

The 3 June 1998 bylaw implementing Decree 94-566 passed 7 July 1994 with regard to energy-consumption information on household washing machines.

The 3 June 1998 bylaw implementing Decree 94-566 passed 7 July 1994 with regard to energy-consumption information on household dishwashers.

The 17 January 2003 bylaw implementing Decree 94-566 passed 7 July 1994 with regard to energy-consumption information on household air conditioners.

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� Spanish legislation

A number of provisions in Spanish legislation enshrine consumer and user rights to information. The most important one is Royal Decree 1468/1988 (2 December), which sanctions regulations on labeling, displaying and advertising industrial products that will be sold directly to consumers and users.

Another one, Royal Decree 124/1994 (28 January) brought Spanish regulations on labeling and on information about household appliances and their consumption of energy and of other resources into line with the European Council’s Directive 92/75/EEC (22 September 1992).

The European Commission laid down the rules for energy labeling on refrigerators, freezers and combined electrical appliances through its Directive 94/2/EC (21 January 1994). This directive was transposed into national legislation by Royal Decree 1326/1995 (28 July) regulating energy-related labeling on refrigerators, freezers and combination electrical appliances.

European Commission Directive 2003/66/EC (3 July 2003) amending European Council Directive 94/2/EC (21 January 1994) on the application of European Council Directive 92/75/EEC (22 September 1992) with regard to energy-related labeling on refrigerators, freezers and combined electrical appliances.

In the European Commission’s view, energy-efficiency ratings could become increasingly irrelevant unless more stringent categories appear in sync with rising standards. The rapid growth in the number of category-A appliances prompted categories A+ and A++, pending a full labeling-system revamp.

This Royal Decree transposes Directive 2003/66/EC into national legislation.

� Italian legislation

- The law of April 10th 1991 n. 126 sets the basic rules for the implementation of the right to correct information of consumers; - The Decree of the President of the Republic of March 9th 1998 n. 107 sets the implementation rules of Directive 92/75/CEE; - The Decree of the Ministry of Industry of April 2nd 1998, implementing Commission Directive 94/2/EC of 21 January 1994 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household electric refrigerators, freezers and their combinations (Official Journal n. 248 of October 23rd 1998); - The Decree of the Ministry of Industry of October 7th 1998 transposes Directives 96/89/EC of May 23rd 1995, 95/13/EC of May 23rd 1995 and 96/60/EC of September 19th 1996, implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of respectively household washing machines, electric tumble dryers and combined washer-dryers (Official Journal n. 248 of 23 October 1998);

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- The Decree of the Ministry of Industry of November 10th 1999 implements Directives 92/75/EC and 97/17/EC regarding the energy labeling of dishwashers (Official Journal n.269 of November 16th 1999)

- The Decree of the Ministry of Industry of 10 November 1999 implements Directive 96/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 September 1996 on energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations thereof (Official Journal n.269 of November 16th 1999) - The Decree of the Ministry of Industry of January 2nd 2003 transposes the Commission Directive 2002/31/EC of 22 March 2002 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household air-conditioners (Official Journal n. 23 of 29/1/2003); - The Decree of the Ministry of Industry of September 21st 2005 transposes the Commission Directive 2003/66/EC of 3 July 2003 amending Directive 94/2/EC implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labeling of household electric refrigerators, freezers and their combinations (Official Journal n. 229 of 01/10/2005).

� German legislation Energy Consumption Labelling Act (Energieverbrauchskennzeichnungsgetsetz) of 1 July 1997.

Energy Consumption Labeling Ordinance (Energieverbrauchskennzeichnungsverordnung) of 30 October 1997 (BGBl I S.2616), amended 26.11.1999, (BGBl I S.2372), amended 19 June 2001, (BGBl I S.1149), amended 6 December 2002, (BGBl I P. 4517) amended 19 February 2004, BGBl I P. 311.

� UK legislation - Statutory Instruments The Energy Information (Washing Machines) Regulations 1996 (as amended by The Energy Information (Washing Machines) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 and The Energy Information and Energy Efficiency (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2001), implements the Framework Directive and Application Directive 95/12/EC by requiring energy labels for household washing machines from 1 October 1996.

The Energy Information (Dishwashers) Regulations 1999 (as amended by The Energy Information and Energy Efficiency (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2001), implements the Framework Directive and Application Directive 97/17/EC by requiring energy labels for household dishwashers from 31 July 1999.

The Energy Information (Household Refrigerators and Freezers) Regulations 2004, implements the Framework Directive and Application Directive 94/2/EC as amended by Application Directive 2003/66/EC by requiring energy labels for domestic refrigerators and freezers and by dividing the energy efficiency rating category of “A” for household refrigerators and freezers into 3 new categories (“A”, “A+” and “A++”) from 1 July 2004

The Energy Information (Household Air Conditioners) (No. 2) Regulations 2005, implements the Framework Directive and Application Directive 2002/31/EC by requiring energy labels for household air conditioners on the basis of European Standard EN 14511 (published as British Standard BS: EN 14511 on 19 May 2004) from 1 August 2005

24

2.2.2 The European Eco-label

The European Union introduced the eco-label in 1992. It is a single sign reflecting a standard system for the consumer-goods sector. Manufacturers and distributors apply for the EU eco-label award on a voluntary basis23.

Criteria for the EU Eco-label are based on the product’s impact on the environment throughout its life cycle and include those used to determine whether a product is fit for use, as well as the extraction of raw materials before the appliance is built and their destruction once the appliance reaches the end of its useful life (recycling-worthiness, for example). They also include the energy that manufacturers use to build the appliance, and its possible impact on user health. These criteria are defined as follows.

• Choice of the product category. The label is designed for consumer products other than food, drink and pharmaceuticals.

• Environmental impact assessment. The goal is to find the environmental-impact spikes, resulting from dangerous substances or of contaminating emissions.

The process used for the criteria is a version of the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), which a number of research centers around the world have been using over recent decades. The underlying approach is beginning-to-end (i.e. from production, throughout use and during elimination) and covers the following aspects:

� the use of energy and of natural resources, � emissions released into the air, water or soil, � waste and its elimination, � noise and � effects on ecosystems.

Thus, the EU eco-label indicates that the product has been independently assessed and found to meet stringent environmental impact constraints for every step of its life cycle putting it among the best in its class. Ecological criteria for a product group are normally established for a period of three years. This allows for technical improvements and changes in the market to be reflected when criteria are revised.

The scheme is administered by the European Eco-labeling Board (EUEB) and receives the support of the European Commission, all Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA). The EUEB is made up of Competent Bodies (independent and neutral organizations) and the Consultation Forum (interest groups ie representatives of consumer and environment NGOs, trade unions, industry, SMEs and commerce). The competent bodies responsible for implementing and administering the Community Eco-label award Scheme at national level include AFNOR Certification (France), Defra (UK), Das Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit and RAL Deutsches Institut fur Gutesicherung und Kennzeichnung (Germany), and Comitato Eco-label Ecoaudit, an inter-ministerial commission (Italy). Here, ANPA (the Agenzia Nazionale per la Protezione Ambiantale, Italy’s environmental protection agency) is in charge of ensuring companies comply with eco-label awarding conditions. The Committee is assisted by the

23 Eco-label certification established by EEC regulation 880/92, is voluntary . Certification protocols were later amended by EEC regulation 1980/2000 (17 July 2000) which overhauled the EEC’s label-awarding process (OJEC L. 237, 21/09/2000).

25

Ministry of Industry’s technical inspectors and by a consultative forum comprising delegates from the main stake-holding groups (manufacturer, retailer, consumer and environmental associations).

� Across the European Union, 127 manufacturers had been awarded this label for one or more products in 2002, 166 in 2003 and 200 in 2004. Amongst these 48 are in Italy, 37 in France, 36 in Denmark, and 7 in UK. In 2004, the Federal Ministry for the Environment in Germany stated that the EU eco-label is still not established in Germany.

The eco labels that have been awarded to date cover about 20 million articles in 21 product and service categories ranging from tourist accommodation services, home appliances, cleaning materials, and mattresses to office supplies, gardening and Do It Yourself products.

� European legislation

Council Regulation (EEC) 880/92 of 23 March 1992 instituted an eco-label award scheme. The scheme was revised in 2001 and is due for a second revision in 2005. The new regulation allows additional flexibility in reviewing the criteria if appropriate. Criteria are published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The scheme was designed to: • promote products that have a reduced impact on the environment compared to

otherwise similar ones and • provide consumers with accurate and scientifically based information and guidance.

� This regulation does not cover: - food, - drinks, - pharmaceuticals, - medical devices as defined in Directive 93/42/EEC, - dangerous substances or preparations as defined in directives 67/548/EEC and

1999/45/EEC and - products if their production process is likely to have a considerably negative impact on

people and/or on the environment.

� In the electrical household appliance sector, the European Eco-label applies to mainly dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators. Different ecological criteria apply in each product category (EC regulation 1980/2000):

- Commission Decision 2001/689/EC of 28 August 2001 establishing ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to dishwashers.

- Commission Decision 2001/397/EC of 7 May 2001 amending Decision 98/483/EC establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to dishwashers.

- Commission Decision 2000/45/EC of 16 December 1999 establishing ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to washing machines.

- Commission Decision 2003/240/EC of 24 March 2003 amending Decision 2000/45/EC on the validity of ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to washing machines.

- Commission Decision 2000/45/EC of 16 December 1999 establishing ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to refrigerators.

26

� Applying for a European Eco-Label

� Eco-label criteria are specific to each product category and based on:

� the product’s market-penetration prospects; � the technical and economic feasibility of necessary changes; � the potential for environmental improvement.

Product groups must fulfill the following conditions:

� they must represent a significant volume of sales and trade in the internal market; � they must have a significant environmental impact; � they must present a significant potential for effecting environmental improvements

through consumer choice; � a significant part of the sales volume must be sold for final consumption or use.

• manufacturers, importers, service providers, traders or retailers apply to the competent body designated by the Member State in which the product has been manufactured, first marketed or imported from a non-member country,

• the competent body assesses whether the product conforms to the criteria of the eco-label and decides whether to award the label and

• the competent body concludes a standard contract with the applicant, covering the terms of use of the label.

Applications for the award of an eco-label are subject to payment of a fee. The use of the label is also subject to the payment of an annual fee by the user.

Any product to which the eco-label is awarded is recognizable by the 'daisy' logo.

Finally, the Commission and the Member States must promote the use of the eco-label by means of awareness-raising actions and information campaigns. They must ensure coordination between the Community eco-label scheme and existing national schemes.

2.2.3 The WEEE label24

Waste electrical and electronic equipment that can be recycled is labeled with a crossed out wheelie bin25. The label means that the producer of the product is responsible for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment. It makes producers responsible for financing most of

these activities (producer responsibility). Private householders are able to return waste electrical and electronic equipment without charge.

� Implementation of the EU WEEE Directive 2003/108/EC into National Law

France: Decree 2005-829 of 20 July 2005 with effect from 13 August 2005. Italy: Legislative Decree of 25 July 2005 no. 151 and published in the Official Journal 29/7/2005 no. 175 on 27 July 2005 Spain: Royal Decree 208/2005 on 25, February 2005 with effect from 13 August 2005. The UK and Germany are postponing implementation of the Directive until 1 January 2006.

24 The WEEE label was not surveyed in the shop and consumer focus group research because it became compulsory after this was completed. 25 Labelling will become obligatory when the WEEE Directive is transposed into the national laws of member states.

27

2.3 Country labels

2.3.1 National eco-labels (ISO 14024)

� Germany’s Blauer Engel

Created on the Ministry of the Interior’s initiative in 1977.

The Ministry of the Environment, Protection of Nature and Nuclear Security owns the rights to this label. The Federal Environmental Authority (Umweltbundesamt or UBA) and the German Institute for Quality Assurance and Marketing (Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung or RAL) fund and administer it.

Some 580 companies in Germany and abroad have been awarded this label for a total of 3,600 products and services.

At the time of writing, dishwashers and washing machines are both listed as categories but no products have been awarded the Blue Angel label. The Federal Environmental Agency said that the basic criteria for these products will run out on 31 December 2004 which means that new criteria will need approval before a manufacturer could be awarded with the label.

� France’s NF Environnement label

France, eco-label involves certification under Decree 94-442 (3 June 1994), standardized in article L115-27 of the Consumer Code (application bylaw 95-354 of 30 March 1995). Authorities set the terms for awarding this label, and vouch for the quality and environmental features of the products they endorse.

NF Environment labels are awarded by AFNOR (Association Française de Normalisation, France’s standards organization) by a protocol defined in amended Decree 84-74 (26 January 1984).

This label vouches for a product’s compliance with conditions listed in regulations (référentiels or repositories) following a multi-criterion approach applied to the various stages in a product’s life cycle.

It is awarded to products that can play a relevant role protecting the environment but

���� does not apply to the electrical household appliances in this survey.

28

� Scandinavia’s Swan Label 26

Sweden and Norway launched the Swan label in 1989. Finland adopted it in 1990, Iceland in 1991, and Denmark in 1998.

The Nordic Council of Ministers developed this program and the label is administered by the Nordic Eco-labeling Board (NMN) and by national agencies. The NMN decides which new product groups warrant a labeling

initiative, and appoints a pilot country to work on the criteria, based on suggestions from a group of experts from across Scandinavia.

This label covers 25 different product groups and 889 licenses have been awarded. Consumers know that products bearing this label:

• have low Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and release limited amounts of oxygen-consuming compounds, phosphorus (P), chlorides and organic halides (AOX),

• release limited amounts of sulphur (S), NOx and SOx, • use environmentally-sound chemicals, • that the manufacturers have made arrangements for waste to be treated in an

environmentally-sound manner and • that the manufacturers use production processes that meet given environmental and

quality standards.

In Sweden: participation in the Swan label system is voluntary. Criteria for different appliances can be found on www.svanen.nu SIS Eco-labeling AB decides on product-certifying criteria. On-site inspections may be made.

���� There are Swan labels for dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators.

In Finland, the SFS (the Finnish Standards Association) awards eco-labels, establishes criteria and certifies products.

���� There are Swan labels for washing machines and refrigerators. In Denmark, none of the five household-appliance categories under review (refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, air-conditioners, and microwave ovens) is sold with this environmental label.

In these countries, the Nordic Swan is more common than the European daisy (EU eco-label).

� UK

The UK does not have a national eco-labeling scheme believing it to be not cost-effective and has concerns that the many national labeling schemes in Europe compete with each other to some extent, which limits their impact and their potential for growth. So the UK government focuses on supporting the European scheme, the EU Eco-label, to which it is strongly committed. The UK was the first country in Europe to issue the 'Flower' label for a product, it has directly invested over £5 million in running and promoting the scheme, and it continues to play a full part.

26 Information provided by EURO COOP, the European Community of Consumer Co-operatives

29

2.3.2 Other third party labels

� Spain’s Medio Ambiente label

AENOR is an independent private Spanish institute. It develops and standardizes certification protocols for all industrial and service sectors. Its goal is to help companies improve their quality and competitive edge while protecting the environment.

The Technical Committee for Environmental Standardization is in charge of agreeing the criteria for ascertaining an electrical household appliance’s worthiness, security, etc.

The AENOR Medio Ambiente seal of approval matches UNE environmental standards, and was devised to flag goods and services that have a below-average

impact on the environment throughout their life cycle (in terms of the raw materials they contain, how they are designed, manufactured and used, and how they will be discarded once their useful life is over).

AENOR Medio Ambiente labels inform consumers about the environmental aspects of the products and services they can find on the market.

Companies applying for the AENOR certification, entitling them to use an AENOR Medio Ambiente label, have to submit their application, undergo an inspection and put their products through tests. On successful completion of the process, they are awarded a certificate vouching for their product or service and entitled to use the label. They are likewise monitored thereafter.

Inspections cover the product’s entire life cycle and its impact on the air, water and soil.

The Technical Committee for the Certification of Electrical Household Appliances is in charge of certifying refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers, among others.

���� There are labels for washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers, inter alia.

� Energy Saving Trust (EST) -Energy Efficiency Recommended label (UK)

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) is a non-profit organisation funded by the British government and the private sector. The EST develops and rolls out programmes on behalf of the government (awareness-raising campaigns, mostly) and serves in a consulting capacity.

The goal is to give consumers verified and unbiased information about the advantages of energetically sustainable products and services.

The EST is also in charge of accreditation. It issues the Energy Efficiency Recommended logo, for example, allowing consumers to spot the most energy-efficient products available on the market. Products carrying an Energy Efficiency Recommended label meet or exceed the Energy Saving Trust’s energy-efficiency criteria. Independent experts examine compliance and the British Government issues the logo.

At this point, only one in five products meet the stringent standards they need to qualify for the label. In the case of washing machines, only AAA products (denoting A-class energy consumption, A-class washing efficiency and A-class spin-drying) qualify. Refrigerators have to be A+ class and dishwashers A.

30

The EST website contains a database of products that have earned the Energy Efficiency Recommended logo, to help consumers find the most energy-efficient products in each category.

EST does not yet have a logo for household air conditioners, but has started assessing the energy efficiency of appliances currently available on the market (especially an innovative ventilation system which may prove preferable for household appliances).

���� There are logos for washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators

� Green A label (Denmark)

The Green A label program is run by Danish energy suppliers, which define criteria based on the A rating of the EU Energy Label. The label, in other words, applies to the most energy- efficient household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers). The administering agencies advise retailers to use the label (this does not concern microwaves and air-conditioners).

A list of recommended products is available from the energy suppliers, which likewise inspect label users on an ongoing basis. They indicated that 70% of all consumers know this label.

���� There are logos for washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators

� GEEA

A GEEA (Group for Energy Efficient Appliances) label means a product consumes little power. This program started in 1996 and has grown to span eight European countries, including Denmark and Sweden.

The label is awarded by a foundation encompassing the public-sector organizations working on energy-related issues. Denmark participates in an international corporation working on the registration and labeling of energy-efficient products. In Denmark, this label is called the Energy Arrow . The corporation covers electronic products, which are not in general a part of the European obligatory energy labeling. The energy arrow is used on TV, video, hi-fi and computer equipment. It will be used on other products in future.

���� This label does not apply to the electrical household appliances in this survey

� Energy Star

The US Environment Protection Agency introduced the Energy Star label in 1992 to recognize energy efficient computers. EPA collaborates with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Since its introduction, the label has grown to identify efficient products across more than 35 product categories including

washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and air conditioners in the US.

Within the EU, the Energy Star is a voluntary labeling scheme and its use is controlled by an agreement between the USA and European Community. The logo appears on some types of office equipment, such as computers, monitors, printers and fax machines.

31

2.3.3 Self-declared claims (ISO 14021)

� Ecological Gas

This logo stems from EC regulation 2037/2000, and is part of the European Parliament’s campaign to replace gases that deplete the ozone layer with less aggressive options.

When the industry shifted from the old gas used in R22 air-conditioning systems to new Freon-free R304, R407 and other gases, manufacturers

invented a label to distinguish systems that use these new gas varieties.

This label incites consumers to buy systems that contain environmental (meaning non-polluting) gases. The claim, however, is not entirely true: from other viewpoints, the gases in question contain aggressive pollutants.

���� These logos are for air conditioners.

� Mobius Loop This Mobius Loop means that the product is made from recycled material. This Mobius Loop means that the product is recyclable.

The Mobius Loop is the most common logo on packaging, including cardboard and polystyrene. It is has been shown27 that manufacturers do not differentiate clearly between the recycled symbol (Mobius Loop with percentage recycled content given) and the recyclable symbol (Mobius loop with no percentage recycled content). This has resulted in the perception that the product is “greener” than it really is.

27 Survey by the Advisory Committee on Consumer Products and the Environment (ACCPE) UK

32

2.3.4 ISO 14025: type III environmental declarations - principles and procedures

At this point, in France, these declarations apply to building materials mainly. (e.g. glue-laminated beams, floor coverings, insulating material, etc.) and supplies (e.g. road-marking paint). Companies such as Nokia28 and Hewlett-Packard29 have made product declarations about some of their products.

An example of an environmental declaration for a specific company and product (source: MINEFI)

In the case of a refrigerator, for example, an environmental declaration could contain information about how much electricity it will consume when in use, and information about the air and water pollution and ozone-layer depletion it will entail when it reaches the end of its useful life. If all manufacturers use the same yardstick, consumers can compare products and make informed decisions easily. A product’s ecological merits and the value of the indicators are left for the consumer to judge.

28 http://www.nokia.co.uk/nokia/0,,27847,00.html 29 http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/productdata/pdf/iteco_person_2005516161530.pdf

As per ISO 14025 standard

requirements, a findings summary and critical review

are available at http://wwwt.entrepris

e-misha_tube

Specimen

XB12 connector – Environmental properties

LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS RESULTS Expected life cycle: over 30 years Depletion of non-renewable resources 27 MJ Power consumption 13 MJ Greenhouse effect 590 g CO2 eq. Depletion of the ozone layer 0 g CFC eq. Atmospheric acidification 10 g SO2 eq. Emission of non-methane hydrocarbon 6 g Chemical oxygen demand 0.8 g Waste/landfill 11 g

33

2.3.4 Certifier labels

European Union countries have a number of certifying agencies that inspect products at manufacturers’ requests and issue labels of approval if the product qualifies.

Third-party labels of approval naturally underpin a brand’s credibility in the consumers’ eyes.

Consumers see these labels of approval as tangible and objective testimony that the product they are buying was manufactured to given standards.

� IMQ

Issued by the Istituto Italiano Marchio di Qualità (Italian quality-label institute), to attest that a product has undergone the necessary tests and been found to comply with Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano (CEI) standards.

IMQ certification is also a safeguard for manufacturers, as it attests to the fact that their electrical appliances and equipment meet European standards.

Securing this compliance is important for manufacturers: it means that their products meet the requirements laid down in European directives and therefore qualify for a CE seal.

� IMQ-EMC

The Istituto Italiano Marchio di Qualità also issues European CCA-EMC labels attesting to the fact that products meet the European EN electromagnetic compatibility standards.

� IMQ-EMC International

Also issued by the Istituto Italiano Marchio di Qualità (IMQ), attesting to the fact that a product meets European, Japanese, Australian and American electromagnetic compatibility standards.

Further guarantees of the quality of an electrical household appliance’s quality come in the form of another label from an analogous European organization unrelated to manufacturers (e.g. a TUV label).

� ASTA BEAB

As an independent National Approvals Body, ASTA BEAB offers safety testing and approval to recognized European standards. This demonstrates that a product legally complies with the General Product Safety Directive and meets the essential

requirements of the above-mentioned European Directives.

ASTA BEAB also offers other testing services including the ASTA BEAB Energy & Performance Certification of appliances which meets EU energy labeling requirements. The take-up for this service is very, very small because, as ASTA BEAB said itself, the test costs are astronomical and so most manufacturers test equipment themselves and self declare.

34

� VDE

As a neutral and independent institution the VDE Testing and Certification Institute carries out testing of electro-technical products, components and systems to ensure they are safe and awards the VDE test mark which is recognized worldwide. Today, more than 200,000 types of products worldwide carry VDE Certification Marks. These products include washing

machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and domestic air conditioners but there are no microwaves listed.

In addition, the VDE Testing and Certification Institute is an authorized body according to the GPSG, for the issuing of the GS mark. This VDE GS mark will be used for consumer products and technical work equipment. GPSG enforces regulations to ensure that products can only be brought into circulation, if the safety and health

of the consumer is not endangered. Also the manufacturer has to monitor the life cycle of its product and has to inform the relevant authorities in case of newly established product deficiencies.

� TUV-GS

A GS label means that a product meets or exceeds German safety legislation requirements.

This well-known label applies to electrical products, office equipment, electrical household appliances and industrial machinery. It is widely

acknowledged across Europe.

A GS label tells consumers that TUV Rheinland has approved and periodically inspects the associated product, directions for use and production process. This label, specifically, means that a representative sample of the products has been tested, checked and found to comply with safety standards. Production systems undergo yearly inspections.

� TUV EMV-EMC

The TUV Rheinland EMC/EMV label attests to the fact that a product complies with electromagnetic compatibility standards (emission and immunity) as well as EMC terms as laid out in the European Directive 89/336/EEC.

� TUV-TYPE APPROVED

This label vouches for the fact that a component has been found to meet security standards and that TUV Rheinland has checked its production process.

TYPE APPROVED labels tell both manufacturers and consumers that a given component has been checked and fulfils safety-related requirements.

35

� EUROVENT

Eurovent certification indicates that all the information on an air conditioner’s label and in the catalogue description (power rating, air flow, power consumption, noise levels and build) matches (or comes acceptably close to) the appliance’s performance.

Eurovent picks sample products at its discretion and sends them to highly specialized international institutes for testing.

2.4. Results

Different countries have different signs, logos or markings.

The following chart contains the list of appliances and some of the associated labels that consumers are likely to find.

36

2.4.1 Countries

Spain Denmark Finland

Others Others Others

EU

energy label

EU eco- label

Official national label30 Self31 EP32

EU energy label

EU eco- label

Official national

label Self EP

EU energy label

EU eco- label

Official national

label Self EP

Refrigerators x X � x x x x x x � Dishwashers x X � x x x x x � W/machines x X � x x x x x x � Microwaves A/conditioners x x x

France Norway Italy

Others Others Others

EU

energy label

EU eco- label

Official national

label Self EP

EU energy label

EU eco- label

Official national

label Self EP

EU energy label

EU eco- label

Official national

label Self Cert33

Refrigerators X X x x � x x x Dishwashers x X x x � x x x W/machines x X x x � x x x Microwaves x A/conditioners x x x x

Sweden UK Germany

Others Others Others

EU energy label

EU eco- label

Official national

label Self EP

EU energy label

EU eco- label

Official national

label Third party

EP

EU energy label

EU Eco- label

Official national

label Self EP

Refrigerators x X � X x � x x Dishwashers x X � X x � x x � x W/machines x X � (2 lic) X x � x x � x Microwaves x A/conditioners x X x x

30 National labels: Medio Ambiente = �, White Swan = �, Blue Angel = �. 31Other third-party claims and self-declared claims: Energy Efficiency Recommended (EST) = �, Green A = , GEEA = , Energy Star = �, Ecological Gas = . 32 Environmental declarations 33 Certifiers

37

2.4.2 Labels and certifying organisations

Country National

Label Appliances Certifying

organisation

EU Eco-label (certifying

organisation) EU energy label Other logos Appliances

D E N M A R K

Swan

Washing machines,

dishwashers and

refrigerators (according to our research,

this signs does not seem to appear in outlets).

Eco-labeling Denmark

Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Protection Agency, Eco-labelling Denmark

The Danish Energy Authority of the Danish

Ministry of the Environment has

overriding responsibility but the secretariat, Energy Labeling

Denmark, handles administration, random

inspections etc.

Danish energy providers control the

Green A label they award to the products

they see as the most energy-

efficient.

Washing machines,

dishwashers and

refrigerators

F I N L A N D

Swan

Washing machines,

dishwashers and refrigerators

Finnish Standards

Association SFS,

Environmental labeling (SFS)

SFS - Environmental Labeling

Safety Technology Authority (TUKES) No No

I T A L Y

No No No

An inter-ministerial organization, Comitato

Eco-label Ecoaudit administers

the seal, whereas ANPA, the Italian

National Agency for Environmental Protection, runs

ensuing inspections

The Ministry of Industry runs the controls

Certifier logos All

household appliances

38

Country National

Label Appliances Certifying

organisation

EU Eco-label (certifying

organisation) EU energy label Other logos Appliances

N O R w A Y

Swan

Washing machines,

dishwashers and

refrigerators

Eco-labeling Norway

(Norwegian

Foundation for Environmental

Product Labeling)

Eco-labeling Norway

(Norwegian Foundation for Environmental Product Labeling)

The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy

Directorate (NVE), a satellite of the Ministry of petroleum and energy (www.nve.no) is

responsible for energy labeling.

On-site inspections are conducted.

No No

S w E D E N

Swan

Washing machines,

dishwashers and

refrigerators

SIS Eco-labeling AB

SIS Eco-Labeling AB SIS Eco-Labeling AB No No

S P A I N

Medio Ambiente

Washing machines,

dishwashers and

refrigerators

Spanish association of Standardization and Certification AENOR

The rules and all the instruments are adopted by the Ministry of Industry, Business and Trade, and by the Ministry

of Health and Consumers.

No No

39

Country National Label Appliances Certifying

organisation

EU eco-label certifying

organisation EU energy label Other logos Appliance

G E R M A N Y

Blauer Engel

Washing machines and dishwashers

Umweltbundesamt and RAL

Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V

Under the Constitutional Law, the Governments of the Länder

(Landesbehörde) are principally responsible for enforcement including the

monitoring of compliance and prosecution of offenders.

No No

F R A N C E

NF Environnement

No French Association of

Standardization and Certification (AFNOR)

French Environment Ministry No All

household appliances

U K No No

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(DEFRA)

Retailers must, by law, provide the energy rating. Local

authorities in England, Wales and Scotland are responsible for

enforcing the regulations that cover energy labels and similar

energy information in mail order catalogues, etc. Enforcement in

Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Trading

Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade

and Investment (DTI).

Energy Efficiency

Recommended

Washing machines,

dishwashers and fridges

40

2.5 Summary

2.5.1 Official seals (European eco labels, national signs and energy labels) Research revealed the following.

� Strengths

- European legislation has provided consistency, even if the

organizations issuing seals of approval vary from one country to another.

- All countries, on principle, should use the energy label.

� Weaknesses

- The energy-label concept has to be transposed into national legislation, which could delay implementation.

- Energy labels do not apply to microwave ovens at this point.

- There are no European eco-labels for microwave ovens or air conditioners.

- Not every country has official labels. In countries that do, additionally official labels may not cover electrical household appliances (in France for example).

2.5.2 Unofficial labels: Other third-party labels, self-declared claims and eco-profiles

� Weaknesses

- Despite the scant information on the subject, the situation varies considerably from one country to another. All the claims under review concern:

� A specific ecological aspect, not the product as a whole (energy is the main aspect)

� Some use logos which convey environmental and/or energy-related information (Green A, EST, GEEA, Ecological Gas, Energy Star and so on), others use certifier logos

� Associated specifications are not easy to find (and sometimes utterly inaccessible)

2.5.3 Certifier labels

� Weaknesses

� Some countries have a myriad of certifier signs � Consumers can’t tell what the certifiers are certifying

41

2.6 Conclusion

� The first phase of that report leads to the conclusion that out of the five appliances we have been studying, there are only a few labels, logos or markings relating to environmental aspects. Moreover, the official labels should be preponderant in the three countries where the practical inquiry will take place.

���� The practical inquiry in stores may or may not confirm these results.

42

IIIIII RREEPPOORRTT PPAARRTT 22 :: TThhee pprraacctt iiccaall iinnqquuii rryy3344

In the EU member states, thanks to the information which must be made available, we may conclude that, theoretically, consumers in France, Italy and Spain will find the following when they buy household appliances: -

- the existence of identification sheets providing compulsory information relating to the energy consumption of household appliances: the EU energy label

and sometimes:

- the EU eco-label (the daisy).

But what really happens in practice?

3.1 Results of the practical inquiry country by cou ntry

3.1.1. France

� Between March and April 2005, research took place in 30 stores in four cities:

Paris 5

Mulhouse 10

Lille 10

La Roche sur Yon 5

Total 30

� The stores are divided into three categories :

Superstores 5

Stores 15

Household appliances stores 10

Total 30

34 Comments relating to the course of the inquiry and shared by every country:

- Many labels are difficult to read or to make out since they are placed at the back of the appliance - The store employees are not always co-operative - Appliances are hard to get to (when placed on shelves for instance) - Appliances are hard to handle - Retailers did not let us take pictures in their stores.

� All these factors show it is often difficult for consumers to the information they need!

43

� Percentage distribution of appliances surveyed:

Distribution of the 5370 household appliances surveyed in France

16%

31%

16% 1%

36%

Microwaves

Fridges

Washing machines

Dishwashers

Air conditioners

� Analysis of the labels found on the products35:

Distribution of the labelling depending on the type of appliance in FRANCE

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

Fridges Washingmachines

Dishw ashers Air conditioners Microw aves

Num

ber o

f app

lianc

es

TOTAL AppliancesEU energy labelEuropean ecolabel

Self-declarations (notes)Certification label

44

� The European energy label : - 85 % of the appliances examined carried the European energy label36 ,

- There are fewer energy labels in the non-specialized stores (discount stores for instance) and

- Data was missing on the label sometimes

� Official eco-labels : - No European eco-labels were found (the national eco-label, the “NF

Environnement” marking, does not apply to household appliances)

� Self-declaration labels: - 3% of the appliances inspected carried declarative comments displayed

on the stores' specification sheets,

- 80% of the declarations observed related to energy, and the other 20% dealt with the wash characteristics (ecological function, bio, intensive etc),

- Self-declarations were not pictograms or logos but written notes which tended to explain the ecological characteristics of the products to consumers and

- We did not find any foreign labels.

� Environmental declarations: - We did not find any environmental declarations.

� Certification labelling: - We did not find any certification labels on the appliances or on the

specification sheets of the store.

36 Even though the European energy label may not be compulsory yet on air conditioners, these are included in the note "appliances having to bear the energy label". Microwave ovens are not included.

45

N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. %

Microwaves

849 Inverter technology : + 15% of energy savings 1 0,12% 110 13%

A + up to 25% m ore econom ical than a C lass A appliance

5 0,26%

Fridge Super A + 1 0,05%

Classification A+ 52 2,71%

A++ up to 37% m ore econom ical than the C lass A energy efficiency

1 0,05%

Biosilver antibacterial system certificated by ISO , FDA, Environm ental Protection Agency US, SIAA

5 0,26%

Label AAA 1 0,05%

Sylver nano 1 0,05%

Biolyse function: captures perm anently the bacteria and sm ells and destroys them . It consum es less energy by being frost free.

1 0,05%

A+ 10% (20% ) p lus econom ical than the energy effic iency of the "c lass A"

7 0,42%

The classification A+ 21 1,25%

Econom y up to 50% , during the whole cycle it adapts consum ption (tim e, e lectric ity, water) depending on the weight and the nature of the linen, checks the tem perature, the rinse and the spindrying.

31 1,84%

Fuzzy Logic : adjusts consum ption of a ll resources during the cycle.

22 1,31%

Bio-Enzym e Phase : tem perature between 30 and 50°C m ainta ined at the beginning of the cycle to optim ize the effect of the detergent on b ig sta ins.

2 0,12%

Q uieter 2 0,12%

Eco system 1 0,06%

Bio Intensive 11 1,27%

Eco Program 10 1,15%

Triple filtration 2 4%

TO TAL 5370 3831 85% 178 3%

Self-declarationsCertifi-

cation

O thers labels (non-ecological)

11 1%

Type of

appliance

Number of

appliances

exam ined in

the overall

1457 87%

Dishwasher

Air conditioner

55 4 7%

866 736 85%

2%

Official Labels

RESULTS of THE PRACTICAL INQ UIRY - France

Notes found on the appliances

Washing

machine

(like)

Climatizatore eco logico - eco logic air conditionner :

No CFC, no HCFC, non HFC : 100% Natural Gas1

1918 1634 85%

1682

46

3.1.2. Spain

� Between March and April 2005, research took place in 30 stores in 6 cities :

Valencia 6

Toledo 5

Murcia 4

Bilbao 5

Madrid 5

Barcelona 5

Total 30

� The stores are divided into three categories :

Superstores 5

Stores 15

Household appliances stores 10

Total 30

� Percentage distribution of appliances surveyed:

Distribution of the 1234 household appliances surve yed in Spain

18%

30%24%

19%

9%Microwaves

Fridges

Washing machines

Dishwashers

Air conditioners

47

� Analysis of the labels found on the products

Distribution of the labelling depending on the type of appliance in SPAIN

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Fridges Washingmachines

Dishwashers Air conditioners Microwaves

Num

ber o

f app

lianc

es

TOTAL Appliances

EU energy label

European Ecolabel

Self-declaration

Certification label

� European Energy label :

- 89 % of the appliances examined carried an EU energy label37 ;

- There are fewer energy labels in the non-specialized stores (for example, discount stores);

- Data was sometimes lacking on the label (the permanent part showing the captions for instance)

� Official eco-labels:

- Over 10% of the appliances that can potentially be labeled38 with it, carried the European eco-label.

- We did not find the national eco-label on any product.

37 Even though the energy label may not be compulsory yet on air conditioners, they are included in the note "appliances having to bear the energy label". Microwave ovens are not included. 38 Fridges, washing machines, dishwashers

48

� Other third-party labels:

- A total of 16.5% of the appliances examined bore a third-party label. The Energy Star label was only found on fridges and washing machines whereas the GEEA label was found on all types of appliances (apart from air conditioners),

- We did not find any foreign label.

� Environmental declarations:

- We did not find any environmental declarations.

� Certification labeling

- 2% of the appliances carried a label from the AENOR certification

(Spanish Organization for Standardization and Certification)

49

N. % N. % N. % N. % N. %

Microwave

225 10 4%

Fridge

375 362 97% 40 11% 27 7% 78 21% 3 1%

Washing machine

292 280 96% 25 9% 35 12% 25 9% 12 4%

Dish washer

230 230 100% 27 12% 12 5% 9 4%

Air conditioner

112 28 25% 8 7% 17 15%

TOTAL 1234 900 73% 100 8% 204 16,5%24 2%

Self-declarationsCertification

LabelsOfficial Labels

CertificationSelf-declaration

Type of appliance

Number of

appliances

examined in

the overall

RESULTS of THE PRACTICAL INQUIRY - SPAIN

50

3.1.3. Italy

� Between March and April 2005, research took place in 35 stores in 5 cities:

Rome 14

Frascati (RM) 3

Prato 4

Firenze 12

Vicchio (FI) 2

Total 35

� Stores are divided into three categories:

Superstores 10

Stores 7

Household appliances stores 18

Total 35

� Percentage distribution of appliances surveyed:

Distribution of the 1608 household appliances surveyed in Italy

11%

32%

17%

12%28% Microwaves

Fridges

Washing machines

Dishwashers

Air conditioners

51

� Analysis of the labels found on the products39

Distribution of the labelling depending on the type of appliance in ITALY

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Fridges Washingmachines

Dishwashers Air conditioners Microwaves

Num

ber o

f app

lianc

es

TOTAL Appliances

EU energy label

European Ecolabel

Self-declaration

Certification label

� The energy label : - A total of 54,6 % of the appliances examined carried an energy label40 .

This percentage is the lowest of the three countries where the inquiry took place.

- It was rare to find energy labels in small stores. Where they existed, the level was not always shown on the A - G scale.

- The energy label was not found on air conditioners.

� Official eco-labels :

- The European eco-label was only found on 2% of the appliances.

- We did not find the national eco-label on any appliances.

39 The inquiry was held using the questionnaire created by CLCV, and slightly adapted to the Italian labelling and logos. 40 Even though the energy label may not be compulsory yet on air conditioners, they are included in the note "appliances having to bear the energy label".

52

� Self-declarations:

- 1% of the appliances carried a self-declaration logo.

- The self-declarations were only found on the air conditioner and related to the gas used in the appliance.

- There were no self-declarations in the form of written notes, ie contrary to France

Labels and markings present on other products than those listed previously:

Air

Conditioners

Fridges

Washing machines

Microwaves

Most of the listed logos are in keeping:

• With energy consumption (category A+)

• or with the gas contained in the appliance (ecological gas).

� Environmental declarations:

- We did not find any environmental declarations.

� Certification labeling:

- 55.1% of the appliances carried a label from certification bodies. The

abbreviations "IMQ" and "DVE" were the more common (half of the appliances studied).

53

N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. % N. %

Microwave

177 6 3% 4 2% 22 12% 11 6% 2 1% 3 2% 4 2% 1 1% 1 1%

Fridge

446 307 69% 13 3% 120 27% 107 24% 13 3% 25 6% 9 2%

Washing

machine512 354 69% 14 3% 140 27% 142 28% 7 1% 31 6% 5 1%

Dish washer

278 120 43% 2 1% 66 24% 57 21% 8 3% 20 7% 1 0% 2 1%

Air conditioner

195 5 3% 1 1% 75 38% 1 1% 2 1% 9 5% 8 4%

TOTAL 1608 781 54,6% 34 2% Selfdecl. 17 1%

N.B. : Of the 5 Ecolabels seen in the store

* 2 were seen on the appliances

* 3 were seen on the packaging

Official Labels Certification Labels

Certification Labels 886 55,1%

Selfdeclarations

Green gas

RESULTS of THE PRACTICAL INQUIRY - Italy

Type of

appliance

Number of

appliances

investigated in

the overall

54

3.2 Summary for the three countries

� Graph 1: Distribution of labeling on all the products examined

8212

5512

134 118892

0100020003000400050006000700080009000

Number of appliances

Labelling's distribution

TOTAL Products

TOTAL EU energy label

TOTAL Eco-label

TOTAL Self-declarations

TOTAL Certification labels

67,4%

1,7% 1,4%

10,9%

3.2.1 Official labels (European and national Eco-labels and energy label)

� European Energy label: - In the three countries, the situation is essentially homogeneous thanks

to the implementation of the European regulations, - The energy label is the most-used labeling

- On the other hand, on appliances such as air conditioners for which the regulation is not yet compulsory in all EU member states, only 10% of the appliances carried the label.

� The European eco-label:

- In the three countries the EU eco-label was rarely seen on the appliances (Spain had the most followed by Italy and France).

- In France, the European eco-label does not appear on the appliances examined. This statement of fact is illogical since France has 37 appliances just behind Italy (48) and before Denmark (36).

� The national eco-label :

- No eco-label was noticed in any of the three countries studied: France: the national eco-label does not apply to household appliances Italy: there is no national eco-label Spain: there is no national eco-label

55

3.2.2 Non-official third party labels and self-declarations

- Other third party labels, in logo form, were more widespread in Spain. These usually related to consumption (GEEA and Energy Star). There are more products bearing other third-party labels than products bearing European eco-labels.

- In Italy, self-declarations are mostly applied to air conditioners. These refer to the refrigerating gas contained in the appliances (Green Gas, Ecological gas).

- In France, the great majority of self-declarations are in the form of written notes. These notes mostly refer to water and energy savings (Super A+, Savings: up to 50% of consumption).

� Eco-profiles

� No eco-profiles were found with regard to the appliances examined in any of the three countries.

3.2.3 Certification logos

� Logos relating to certification bodies:

- Contrary to Italy, there is only a few certification logos in Spain (2%) and none in France.

- In Italy, the number of these logos placed on the appliances is even higher than the number of products bearing the EU energy label. The diversity of certification logos may confuse the message addressed to consumers.

- In Spain, only one certification logo was seen: "AENOR Producto Certificado" (Product certified by AENOR).

56

� Graph 2: Number of labelled appliances examined per 1000 appliances per country

Number of labelled products per 1.000 appliances

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Spain Italy France

Eco-labelEnergy labelCertification labelsSelf-declarations

Spain

With the use of the EU energy label very high (90% of the products checked), Spain has the highest percentage of the three countries participating in the study.

A total of 16% of the products had other third-party or self-declaration labels, and only 10% of the products carried the EU ecolabel. In spite of this low percentage, Spain had the most products bearing the European ecolabel.

Products bearing the label of a certification body are not numerous in Spain and only represent 2% of the products examined. Italy

Less than 60% of the products examined carried the energy label. This is the lowest percentage of the three countries doing this stage of the research.

The number of appliances bearing self-declaration labels was lower than the appliances bearing the European eco-label. It seems logical and encouraging for the consumer. But the number of products carrying an eco-label is still low (less than 2%).

Italy is a country where a lot of household appliances (55.1%) have a certification label. France

With EU energy labels on 85% of products, France has a percentage rate almost as high as the rate in Spain.

It is also worth noting that, contrary to the two other countries where the practical survey took place, no product carrying the European eco-label was seen.

Finally the appliances examined did not display any labeling from certification bodies.

57

� Graph 3 : Distribution of the appliances depending on the type of labeling and on the type

of household appliance

Distribution of the European eco-labels

32%

24% 44%Fridges

Washing machines

Dishwashers

Distribution of logos from certification bodies

37%

6%9%18%

30% Fridges

Washing machines

Dishwashers

Air conditioners

Microwaves

Distribution of the EU energy labels

38%

20% 1% 41%

Fridges

Washing machines

Dishwashers

Air conditioners

Distribution of the self-declarations logos

23%

30%10%

8%29% Fridges

Washing machines

Dishwashers

Air conditioners

Microwaves

- Almost one appliance out of two bearing the European label was a fridge and one out of three was a washing machine

- The majority of logos issued by certification bodies were on washing machines and fridges.

- 80% of the appliances bearing the energy label were a fridge or a washing machine.

- Other third-party and / or self-declaration labels are mostly found on air conditioners and washing machines.

58

3.3 Conclusions

� This second part of the research confirms some of the assertions made in the first part:

Of the five types of appliances studied in France, in Spain and in Italy, there are few labels, logos or markings relating to the environmental characteristics of the household products.

Compulsory steps such as the energy label, allow the messages in different countries to be standardized and be displayed on household appliances.

� Contrary to what may be expected:

Official approaches are almost nonexistent.

The majority of the self-declarations we found refers to the products' consumption

of energy and are barely innovative.

In some countries, appliances bear a vast number of abbreviations relating to certification bodies or to other characteristics of the product (quality, use etc).

� Consequences:

The inquiry shows that consumers cannot favor a more eco-friendly household appliance because not many appliances is stamped with an eco-label.

The consumer is not fully able to make a “green” choice because official environmental labels are rarely observed on appliances. This is a particularly serious problem when taking into account compulsory labels, such as the energy label, which is not always placed on relevant appliances, highlighting therefore a lack in the control system.

The logos from certification bodies are numerous in some countries, which may generate some sort of “confusion” for the consumer.

59

IIVV IINNQQUUIIRRYY PPAARRTT 22 :: TThhee FFooccuuss ggrroouuppss

���� The practical inquiry has revealed that:

- the choice by consumers of more “environmentally friendly” household appliances was only confined to the energy data of the appliances;

- the choice by consumers of more “environmentally friendly” household appliances depended:

� On the presence of eco-labels and self-declarations on the appliances, � On the identification of these labels by consumers and � On the confidence of consumers in these labels.

But what are the facts? 4.1. Results

4.1.1. France

Do you know if information to help consumers to mak e a "green" choice relating to the environment is present on household appliances?

Yes 88%

No 12%

In the case of a positive answer, are they : Logos 26% Eco-labels 23% Written notes 42% Other 9%

Comments: Those consumers questioned, who considered that some information relating to environment was provided on the appliances, most frequently quote :

- The energy label (or as they describe it: coloured strips, letters A,B…) - The noise level (decibels) - The "green logos" (but they gave no details)

Do you know what an Eco-label is?

Yes 85%

No 15%

Comments: The majority of the consumers questioned said that they knew what an eco-label meant, but when they were told the real meaning, only 13% of those who had claimed to know the definition actually gave the right answer.

Do you know the official energy label?

Yes 38%

No 62%

Comments: Contrary to the eco-label, the majority of consumers said that they did not know what the official energy label meant. But once they were told the meaning and showed the pictogram, 100% of the people recognized it.

Contrary to the eco-label, 100% of the people who knew about the energy label gave the right definition.

60

Do you know the European Eco-label?

Yes 46%

No 54%

Comments: Once they were given the meaning and showed the pictogram of the label, 58% of the people polled said that they knew about it and 42% said they did not.

Do you know the National Eco-label?

Yes 23%

No 77%

Comments: As with the European eco-label, once they were given the meaning and showed the pictogram of the label, 54% of the people polled said they knew it and 46% said they did not.

Do you take any notice of the existence of official eco-labels and self-declarations when you chose household appliances?

Yes 50%

No 4%

Sometimes 46%

Comments: One person out of two took notice of the existence of labels at the time of his/her purchase. The energy label, for energy savings reason, was the one people most frequently quoted. But the concern for the protection of environment appeared after the price. This latter fact is the first thing on which the choice is based.

For people having purchased household appliances in the past six months, what "sign" was seen on the products?

The energy label 83% Eco-labels 0% Self-declarations 0% Other 0%

For people thinking of buying household appliances soon, would the eco-label be a conclusive criterion in their choice?

Yes 50% No 50% Other 0%

Comments: The consumers questioned changed their opinion once they have been informed about eco-labels. Once they were given this information, 92% said that they would take notice of the presence of an eco-label at the time of their next purchase!

Do you trust these labels?

Yes 73%

No 4%

Sometimes 23%

61

Comments: It is important to note that 15% of the people, who answered “yes”, qualified their words by saying that they only trusted the official and controlled labels (eco-label, energy label). The majority of the consumers polled did not trust the self-declarations.

Do you think that the current organized system prov ides consumers with enough facts to chose “environmentally friendly” household appliances?

Yes 19%

No 54%

Sometimes 23%

Comments: One consumer out of two thought that there was not enough data in stores to make a "green choice" between household appliances or that, when the information exists, it was not always appropriate.

What aspects of the current system should be change d?

Visibility 77%

The information provided 69%

Improve the confidence 15%

Other 6%

Comments: The consumers who were polled asked for better visibility for the relevant information and the labels. Moreover, they wanted to understand the facts that they are given. Thus, 69% of them called for an improvement in the information provided.

Are you in favor of the development of private vent ures in this area?

Yes 23%

No 73%

Do not know 4%

Comments: For three quarters of the consumers questioned, the development of private ventures was not a good idea. In fact, they thought that there was not enough control on private ventures.

Conclusion: The majority of the French consumers questioned knew that there was an information source and in particular a written information source relating to the ecological data of household products. Moreover they recognized the energy label very well but had difficulties giving a definition of what an eco-label was even though 46% of them had already seen the European eco-label. In spite of this, 54% of the polled consumers thought they were not given enough information to be able to make a more “environmentally friendly” purchase. 50% of the consumers polled already took notice of the ecological labeling however it was presented, (50%: always; 46%: sometimes). 92% of the people polled said that now they had been made aware of the data, the eco-label would be a conclusive element in their future purchases. 73% of those questioned blindly trusted the labeling: it seemed unbelievable to them that the labeling may not be official. 73% of those questioned were opposed to private ventures in the field of environmental labeling.

62

4.1.2. Italy

Do you know if information to help consumers to mak e a "green" choice relating to the environment is present on household appliances?

Yes 68%

No 32%

In the case of a positive answer, are they: Logo 42%

Eco-labels 23% Written notes 23% Other 12%

Comments : Those consumers questioned, who considered that some information relating to environment was provided on the appliances, most frequently quoted:

- The energy label (or as they described it: colored strips, letters A, B….) , - The use of ecological materials,

- Information relating to health.

Do you know what an Eco-label is?

Yes 50%

No 50%

Do you know the official energy label?

Yes 27%

No 73%

Comments: 63% of the consumers polled said that they did not know what the official energy label meant and what kind of guarantee the label provided.

Do you know the European Eco-label?

Yes 14%

No 86%

Comments: 96% of the consumers said that they did not know what the official European Eco-label meant and what kind of guarantee it provided.

Do you know the national Eco-label?

Yes %

No %

Comments: That question was not asked to the Italian consumers since there is no national label in Italy.

63

Do you take any notice of the existence of official eco-labels and self-declarations when you chose household appliances?

Yes 63%

No 37%

Sometimes 0%

Comments: The interest of consumers is growing but the protection of environment appears after the price which stays the first thing on which the choice is based.

For people having purchased household appliances in the past six months, what "sign" was seen on the products?

The energy label 77% Eco-labels 0% Self-declarations 0% Other 33%

For people thinking of buying household appliances soon, would the eco-label be a conclusive criterion in their choice?

Yes 25% No 21% Other 54%

Comments: 54% of consumers polled said that sometimes the eco-label could be a criterion in their choice.

Do you trust these labels?

Yes 75%

No 4%

Sometimes 21%

Comments: The consumers polled were very confident in the labels they saw in stores.

Do you think that the current organized system prov ides consumers with enough facts to chose “environmentally friendly” household appliances?

Yes 16%

No 84%

Sometimes 0%

Comments: More than the three quarters of the consumers thought that there was not enough information in stores to make a "green choice" of household appliances or that, when information existed, it was not always appropriate.

64

What aspects of the current system should be change d?

Visibility 3%

The information provided 54%

Improvement in confidence 0%

Other 43%

Comments: For those consumers answering 'other', they said they wanted:

- More comprehensible and clear information - 84%,

- Less labeling - 10%

- Reconsideration of the self-declarations system - 3%,

- More control - 3%

Are you in favor of the development of private vent ures in this area?

Yes 60%

No 40%

Do not know 4%

Comments: 87.5% of consumers supported the development of official ventures. On the other hand, 60% of them were in favor of the development of private ventures.

Conclusion: The majority of Italian consumers polled knew that ecological information was provided on appliances in order for the consumers to choose more environmentally friendly products, but only a few of them were able to give the name or to describe the data. The inquiry shows that they had a weak knowledge of ecological labeling and logos, of their meaning, of the guarantees they provide and of their control. Paradoxically, the consumers’ confidence in the labels was very high. This fact shows that providing ecological information has a very high “potential”. The official European Eco-label was almost totally unknown by most of the consumers polled (more than the two thirds). The meaning of the energy label was more familiar. The guarantee signs on the products were almost totally unknown except for “IMQ” and “Energy Star”, respectively recognized by 40% and 50% of the consumers polled. This indicates that the possible confusion caused by seeing numerous certification logos, predicted at the end of the last phase, was at least partially mitigated. As far as their purchases were concerned, half the consumers questioned took notice of the labeling/logos or of the official ecological declarations when they chose an appliance, even if they did know always consider that element as conclusive. Actually, such labeling was not always well known or understood by the consumers. Finally, a great majority of the consumers polled thought that the information provided was insufficient or even incomprehensible and they called for more clarity. Almost all of them were in favor of the development of official labels or logos, but they were less in favor of private ventures in this area.

65

4.1.3. Spain

Do you know if information to help consumers to mak e a "green" choice relating to the environment is present on household appliances?

Yes 71%

No 28%

In the case of a positive answer, are they : Logo 5%

Eco-labels 75% Written notes 30% Other 10%

Comments: Those consumers questioned, who considered that some information relating to environment was provided on the appliances, most frequently quote :

- The energy label (or as they describe it: colored strips, letters A, B….)

Do you know what an Eco-label is?

Yes 64%

No 36%

Do you know the official energy label?

Yes 68%

No 32%

Comments: The consumers questioned gave a good description

Do you know the European Eco-label?

Yes 21%

No 22%

Comments:

Do you know the national Eco-label?

Yes 0%

No 100%

Comments:

Do you take any notice of the existence of official eco-labels and self-declarations when you chose household appliances?

Yes 43%

No 57%

Sometimes 0%

Comments:

66

For people having purchased household appliances in the past six months, what "sign" was seen on the products?

The energy label 67% Eco-labels 16% Self-declarations 8% Other 8%

For people thinking of buying household appliances soon, would the eco-label be a conclusive criterion in their choice?

Yes 7% No 93% Other 0%

Comments:

Do you trust these labels?

Yes 25%

No 39%

Sometimes 35%

Comments:

Do you think that the current organized system prov ides consumers with enough facts to chose “environmentally friendly” household appliances?

Yes 14%

No 54%

Sometimes 32%

Comments:

What aspects of the current system should be change d?

Visibility 92.8%

The information provided 32.1%

Improve the confidence 42.8%

Other 0%

Comments:

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Are you in favor of the development of private vent ures in this area?

Yes 92,8%

No 7,2%

Do not know 0%

Comments:

Conclusion: •Consumers' attitude and confidence area regarding the eco-label When consumers have to decide whether to purchase or not a household appliance most of

them check if the eco-label is shown on them. However, most people base their final decision on other circumstances like the price or extra features.

In general, consumers show interest and respect for the environment. However they do not

rely too much on the existence of eco-labels as they are not sure what they mean and if they are really relevant for the environment. Some consumers even think that the eco-label is something created by manufacturers to get more customers.

•Consumers' opinions Consumers said that there are not many products showing this label in the shops. They felt that

the reason for this lack of labeling is the lack of confidence in the label by manufacturers who decide whether or not to put them on their products.

In general, consumers thought that government services and manufacturers do not provide

them with enough information both in shops and in the media. Due to this, consumers do not really take into consideration the existence of this label in their decision to buy a household appliance.

Finally, consumers considered that is necessary to educate consumers and society in general to improve their knowledge about this area and to create a better culture of compromise with the environment. Furthermore, consumers considered that both public and private actors need to take into consideration a compromise regarding control of the production of the products so that more of them incorporate the eco-label.

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4.1. Summary for the three countries

Consumers showed a genuine interest in and respect for the environment. But they expressed this concern in a general way and they still met with some difficulties on how to integrate this sensitivity into concrete actions in their daily life.

4.2.1 Identification of the labeling by the consumers

A great majority of the consumers knew that there was some information relating to environmental criteria displayed on household appliances. Most frequently, consumers quoted the information relating to the energy data of the products because this data is essentially provided by the energy label. On the other hand, for 84% of the Italian consumers and 54% of the French consumers, the information provided is not sufficient to make a correct “green purchase”.

Most consumers said they knew the existence of the labels and self-declarations referred to in the inquiry. But they specified that they did not know the exact meaning of these labels or what they refer to on household appliances. The official European Eco-label was still not really identifiable.

Moreover, there was a gap between the designation of the labels and the visual recognition of their pictogram by the consumers. For the French consumers who did not know the words “Energy label”, the recognition of the pictogram was immediate once seen.

4.2.2 Influence of the labeling on the consumers’ behavior

All the inquiries show that, as a rule, the price was the conclusive element in the purchase of a consumer good. This was confirmed in the majority of the “focus groups” in whichever country. However, one consumer out of two said that he/she was convinced by the presence of a label and self-declaration at the time of their purchase. Moreover, it is interesting to note that 92% of the French consumers said that now that they had been made aware, they would take notice of the presence of an eco-label at the time of their next purchase.

Finally, apart from the Spanish consumers who did not trust the European eco-label because they thought that it was created by manufacturers, the consumers were generally very confident in the labeling of the products. They thought that all the information provided on the appliances had been controlled and authenticated by the state or a third party. Thus, for a misinformed consumer, self-declarations are not similar to advertising made by a manufacturer but to an official information system they can trust. In the French focus groups, once the differences between self-declarations and the official labels had been explained, the majority of consumers wanted the practice of self-declarations to stop in favor of the official labels.

4.2.3 Appreciation of the labeling by the consumers Consumers said that the current system should be improved, especially the visibility of the labels.

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Moreover, consumers thought that the information provided is not always comprehensible for people who had not been made aware of the environmental issues.

Therefore, even if the majority of consumers thought there was some environmental information on products, one person out of two reckoned that the current system did not provide him/her with enough data to allow him to choose an “environmentally friendly” household appliance. (eg. The European Eco-label still cannot be found on household appliances in France.)

4.2.4. Expectations of the consumers

Consumers wanted more appliances in the stores to carry eco-labels.

They thought that they were not sufficiently informed about and made aware of “green purchases” for them to be a natural reflex.

The majority of consumer’s advocated improvement in the visibility of the logos and information, and a change in the data provided so that it is more comprehensible for the general public.

European consumers spoke about the lack of information from the authorities, the producers and distributors and they disliked the lack of media coverage of the issue. They asked for the information to be controlled by third parties.

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4.3 Conclusion

� The third part of the inquiry allows us to confirm some of the assumptions made in the second part of the inquiry, that is:

- a great majority of consumers considered the energy label as a means of making a knowledgeable choice in their purchase, although they sometimes regretted its technical nature,

- they disliked the absence of official eco-labels on the products,

- they did not understand the meaning of all the labels and information and

- they did not make a difference between the different categories of labels (system, operation, content etc).

� Based of the results of the shop surveys:

consumers trusted all notes, labels and self-declarations they find on products,

they thought that self-declarations were strictly regulated (this labeling influenced them because they considered it a credible source of information),

they made mistakes between self-declaration labels and the official eco-label.

� Consequently:

Consumers were not able to make a choice when they purchased household appliances.

Consumers wanted:

� More public awareness and more education about the official label (EU); � To find out the meaning of all these labels easily; � Manufacturers to give up developing a vast number of self-declarations; � To find products bearing the official labels in stores.

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VV SSUUMMMMAARRYY AANNDD SSUUGGGGEESSTTIIOONNSS

In view of the results obtained in the different countries, we are able to make some recommendations.

5.1 At the national level

� France: no official European eco-label was seen on the appliances examined, therefore it is necessary for the manufacturers to ensure that their products are awarded and carry the European eco-label.

� Italy: registered a significantly lower presence of the compulsory energy label on the appliances than the other countries surveyed. This highlights a lack of control by the official organizations and the urgent need for their action in order to rectify the situation.

As regards self-declarations, their encouraging low presence is offset by the amount of trust they mistakenly generate in consumers. Therefore measures should be taken to induce consumers to prioritize official logos over self-declarations. The possible confusion caused by the profusion of certification logos may be mitigated by information campaigns directed towards consumers. � Spain: registered the highest number of products bearing the European eco-label, but even here it is not high enough to have an effect on the market, therefore it is necessary for manufacturers and retailers to promote the eco-label. In addition, information for consumers must be improved.

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5.2 At the European level

EU energy label

Facts Suggestions

The regulation is not always enforced

� Even though the legislation

makes provision for the systematic placing of the energy label on some

household appliances, this is not always the case.

� Improve national controls,

notably in low-cost and discount stores

Improve the accuracy

� The label does not include

practical information (it is much too technical)

���� Add to the label the annual

consumption shown by the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) and its

equivalent in euros.

Official eco-label

Facts

Suggestions

���� Lack of information in stores and on the products

�Give information at the point of sale

� The available information is generally insufficient:

- nothing about criteria - nothing about control - nothing about the environmental gains - consumers are not made

sufficiently aware of the environmental consequences of their daily consumption of resources (that is, they do not see the connection between the choice of a household appliance and its environmental consequences)

� The criteria concerned by the label must appear on the appliance specification sheet

� The labels specifications must be available for free on the manufacturers’ websites, in the stores etc.

� Consumers must be informed about the positive impacts of the “green purchase” for them and for the environment, such as the financial saving, and the promotion of the “Ecological Footprint”…

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Official eco-label

Facts

Suggestions

Improve the design � They are often not well-

placed and/or too small for an ill-trained eye.

� Improve the graphic clarity of the ecological data notably by enlarging the diameter of the European label pictogram on the energy label.

� Make the eco-label larger and place in prominent position.

� Display a short sentence next to the European eco-label to remind people of its meaning.

Information “consumers call for more information”

� No education: consumers wait to be educated on

“environmental consumption”

�Launch communication campaigns (on TV, at school…) in order to explain the meaning of the label (from manufacturers to consumers)

Presence of the official eco-labels

in stores

�“Environmentally friendly" appliances are not on display”

� Make the sellers aware.

� Promote the official labels to the manufacturers

Price of the appliances

�Consumers think that "environmentally friendly"

appliances are too expensive

� Promote the lowest priced, most environmentally friendly appliances in stores together with the products' specifications concerning the environment.

� Promote all initiatives to encourage manufacturers to produce appliances which conform to the official eco-label criteria.

Self declaration and other labels (certificated lab el)

Facts Suggestions

Presence of the self-declarations at the same level as the

official label

� Consumers Confusion

���� Limit logos and other self-

declaration or certification notes in order to promote the official

labels.

� Credibility

“consumers believe that self-declarations are official data”

���� Make the consumers aware of the different ecological signs