§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for promoting improvement of energy standards of white goods in the European Union. [16749]
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply.
The Department will continue to encourage improved energy standards for household appliances, including white goods, the European Union via a mixture of policy instruments including mandatory energy labelling, minimum energy performance standards and voluntary agreements.
We propose to work closely with stakeholders and other member states to reach agreement on the European Commission's proposals for a Framework Directive for Minimum Efficiency Requirements for End-Use Equipment (due to be published in early 2002); to complete 569W the review of Council Directive 92/75/EEC (on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances) and to negotiate new voluntary agreements with European manufacturers and service providers as necessary.