Government steps up policing effort for EU energy use law

The government announced last week that it has appointed the National Measurement Office (NMO), the body which polices weights and measures in the UK, to oversee and enforce the EU Energy Using Products (EuP) and Energy Labelling Framework Directives when they come into effect next year.

The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs also warned that non-compliance with the new energy-efficiency regulations could cost business up to £30m a year in fines.

The EuP Directive, which is being finalised by Brussels, will set out a wide range of eco-design requirements for household energy-using products and effectively ban energy-profligate features such as some standby facilities.

The European Commission has already begun to introduce minimum energy standards and labels for televisions, washing machines and fridges, and under the new legislation more products will be required to curb energy use and clearly label their energy performance. The EU estimates that implementing these standards effectively will reduce EU energy use by 10 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Energy Labelling Framework Directive will provide a legal framework for establishing labelling requirements for such products.

"It is vital we ensure our energy-using products use less energy and adhere to the standards we are setting to reduce emissions and reduce energy bills for everyone who buys them," said environment minister Dan Norris. "This is a good way to bring together existing expertise, get value for money for the taxpayer and help protect the environment."

Peter Mason, National Measurement Office chief executive, said in a statement that the organisation was well positioned to police the energy-efficiency claims made by firms. "This latest expansion of our remit to include energy conservation fits well with our already established enforcement delivery in environmental protection," he said.

The NMO is already tasked with enforcing the EU Reduction of Hazardous Substances directive, which limits the amount of toxic materials that can be used in the manufacture of household goods.