Stricter public procurement rules likely to be forthcoming 16-07-2007 The European Parliament has adopted a new version of the regulation on the
Energy Star programme on 10 July. It requires the Member States to apply
demanding energy efficiency criteria in the public procurement of office
equipment. This marks the first time that the Council, the European Parliament
and the Commission agree that certain energy efficiency criteria become binding
in public procurement. Energy Star is part of the EU's strategy to better manage
energy demand, contribute to security of energy supply and mitigate climate
change.
“This result underlines the EU's commitment to reach the energy efficiency
targets agreed at the March Council. It is important both for environmental
reasons and as a means of saving taxpayers' money, since energy efficient office
equipment is also cost-effective", remarked Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.
The regulation foresees that EU institutions and central government
authorities in Member States have to use energy efficiency criteria, which are
no less demanding than the ones defined in the Energy Star programme, when
purchasing office equipment. It is expected that the new regulation will push
the demand for energy efficient equipment and increase its market penetration.
Until now equipment has been frequently purchased without considering the
electricity costs for using it, although an energy efficient model is much
cheaper in the longer run, when both purchase price and costs for electricity in
use are taken into consideration. Experience from other countries such as the
USA shows that public procurement is a powerful tool to push energy efficiency.
The Council is expected to adopt the regulation in July.
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