Press releases

The EU has just adopted the ‘Ecodesign’ package which will improve five types of products that most consumers own at home: lighting, fridges, TV screens, dishwashers and washing machines. Besides relying on less energy, the appliances will be easier to fix and, in some cases, safer. However, the measures should have gone further to make it easy for consumers to repair their goods.

In the decade after EU rules on energy-efficient lighting kicked in, the average European household has saved up to €1,330 − the equivalent combined price of a mid-range washing machine, fridge and dishwasher. The figure comes from a new study commissioned by ANEC, the European consumer voice in standardisation, and BEUC, The European Consumer Organisation.

The European Commission has just agreed on the revamp of the energy label for lighting, fridges, TV screens, dishwashers and washing machines. BEUC and its sister organisation ANEC - the consumer voice in standardisation - have long called for such an update, which will enable consumers to better understand how much energy their appliances consume.

Today’s decision is an important milestone to lower the cost of driving – with projected fuel savings of up to thousands of euros over the next decade – and push car makers to place low-emission and fuel-efficient cars on the market.