Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
label; (iii) favour multi-product label and (iv) favour labels with endorsements from
the government and large retailers.
Other types of energy eco-label from around the world can be found in the
following table: (Table 1 )
3.2 Comparative Labels: The Eu Energy Label
Practically, all countries around the world manage an energy comparison label for
some products, most commonly for domestic appliances, houses and cars. In most
cases it is a mandatory label launched by governments, although in some countries
the label is voluntary. The design of this kind of label varies considerably from one
country to another. Harrington and Damnics [ 21 ] distinguishes three types:
Dial label , with greater ef
ciency linked to advancement along the gauge (more
￿
ef
cient represented by a clockwise arc). This type of label can be found in
Australia, Thailand and Korea.
Bar label , which uses a bar chart with a grading from best to worst. All grades
are shown on the label, and the one met by the product is indicated. This type of
label is used in Europe and South America.
￿
Linear label , which has a linear scale indicating the highest and lowest energy
use of models on the market and locating the speci
￿
c model within that scale.
This model is used in North America.
The initial design of the label is important, because it will have an impact on the
way that consumers understand it, and because once the label is known by con-
sumers it is very dif
cult to change it. Moreover, some designs are hard to update
when the classes have to be re-scaled.
A good example of the success of this kind of labels is the EU energy label,
which is considered responsible for removing the least energy ef
cient appliances
from the market [ 12 ]. The EU energy label started with Directive 92/75/CE in 1992
and now covers domestic appliances such as refrigerators and freezers, washing
machines, dishwashers and electric ovens. A version of this label is also used for
cars, houses, lamps, television sets and air conditioners, and is planned to be
extended to more energy products. The label is mandatory for both producers and
retailers. Originally it consisted of categories ranging from A (the most energy
ef
cient class) to G (the least), but in the case of domestic appliances the techno-
logical change favoured by the label has been so far-reaching that the label has had
to be revised and updated, as all the models for some appliances were rated as A.
Thus, after long debates and discussions which showed the need for a more
dynamic process for including future technical innovations [ 30 ], in 2011 the label
for refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines was updated, covering classes
from A+++ to D. (Directive 2010/30/EU).
The debate to revise the labelling was launched in 2007, when there was ample
evidence that most of the appliances on the market were rated A [ 13 ]. The process
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