The key proposals concern energy efficiency of buildings, energy labels and new rules for labelling tyres for cars and trucks. In addition, the Commission established guidelines on the calculation of electricity from combined heat and power generation (co-generation).
The draft law on buildings would extend the scope of the 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive by eliminating the current 1000m2 threshold required for buildings undergoing a major renovation to meet specific efficiency standards.
The purpose is to make the energy performance certificate a "real, active energy label of houses" to be included in sales and rental documents as well as in all advertisements. The revision is expected to generate 5–6% energy saving in the EU in 2020.
The revision of the Energy Labelling Directive, adopted in 1992, would broaden the existing provision beyond household appliances to include energy-using products in the industrial and commercial sectors as well as all energy-related products with an impact on energy consumption, including insulation materials. The specific information that must be displayed on the label would be determined on a product-by-product basis.
The draft legislation also imposes restrictions on public procurement, as member states would no longer be able to purchase products under certain energy-performance levels.
A new directive for a labelling scheme for tyres is also proposed, with a view to promoting wider use of fuel-efficient tyres. The new law would require tyre manufacturers to display fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise performance information on a sticker at the point of sale as well as in promotional literature.
The Commission expects fuel savings equivalent to between 2.4 and 6.6 million tonnes of oil by 2020, depending on the speed of the market's transition towards more efficient tyres.
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