Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress which has been made to date in 2005 to progress the requirement under the national climate change strategy to extend the mandatory energy labelling system for electrical goods such as condensing boilers, low energy lights, dishwashers, cookers, tumble dryers, televisions, kettles and other household appliances which are not covered under the current mandatory labelling system; the steps he intends to take to ensure that the system is extended to all such goods by 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37810/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of mandatory energy labelling for electrical goods comes within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. I understand from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources that energy-efficient labels are affixed to goods in the EU in response to a directive under the Single Market framework to equalise the playing field for such goods throughout the EU. Ireland's interest is in ensuring that the population of goods subject to that regime moves into the highest categories to allow users and the national economy to benefit from the reduced demand for energy on foot of savings in energy, energy bills and carbon dioxide emissions. The labels empower purchasers to select a higher level of efficiency when they buy new or replacement goods. There is no compulsion on purchasers to buy more efficient goods but the demand for less efficient appliances has reduced since the information first became available in this fashion in the EU. As the measure is intended for the equalisation of market conditions, it would be counter-productive for Ireland to take an individual stance and set different standards which could be seen by the European Commission as a non-tariff barrier.

EU directive 2005/32/EC, which was adopted in July 2005, establishes a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for energy-using products. The aim of the directive is to improve the environmental performance of such products by encouraging manufacturers to design products in an environmentally conscious manner, with a particular focus on making products more energy efficient, thus contributing to the security of energy supply. The directive seeks to ensure the free movement of such products, based on a coherent EU-wide framework that is designed to prevent market barriers. The framework directive in question provides that the Commission may adopt implementing measures on specific products by specifying environmental aspects and ecodesign requirements. It will be possible to place such products on the market if they comply with the agreed specified criteria. Conformity will be implemented using the existing CE conformity marking scheme. The directive applies to any product using energy to perform its function. Products with high carbon dioxide reduction potential are likely to be targeted first by the Commission in selecting products to be included in the implementing measures. Priority product groups likely to be targeted first include heating and lighting, electric motors, domestic and office appliances, consumer electronics and air conditioners. When the implementing measures have been adopted, they will lead to significant improvements in energy consumption and, therefore, carbon dioxide emissions associated with a wide range of energy-using products.