Certification and labeling schemes of products, are an important factor of succesful market surveillance. The European Union has enacted two labeling schemes, revealing the compliance with European legislation in the field of energy and resource efficiency. These are the following:
The European Ecolabel is a voluntary scheme, established in 1992 in order to promote the marketing of more environmentally friendly products. Today the scheme covers a wide range of products, with more and more categories being added regularly. Ecolabel criteria are based on studies which analyse the impact of the product on the environment throughout its whole life-cycle. The EU Ecolabel is part of the action plan on Sustainbable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy adopted by the Commisison on 16 July 2008.
The European Union Energy Label
The EU labelling scheme on energy consumption was introduced with EU Directive 92/75/EC. This scheme is mandatory and has been implemented by several other directives. Products are rated in classes from A to G, A being the most energy efficient. In order to progress with advances that have been made in the field of energy efficiency, the classes A+ and A++ have been introduced. Further information contained on the label include the consumption and noise of a product.
In addition to the volunary and mandatory scheme initiated by the EU, there are several national, European and international certification schemes to ensure that products are compliant with certain provisions relating to energy and resource efficiency. A non-exhaustive list can be found below.
European & International certification schemes:
The AHRI Certified Programme identifies heating, air-conditioning, and commercial refrigeration products which have been subject to third-party certification of their performance ratings. AHRI, the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment and an internationally recognized advocate for the industry.
Asercom Performance Certification Programme
The Asercom Performance Certification Programme is meant to asess compressors to assist manufacturers of commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. It is a voluntary scheme and has common reference points for all manufacturers.
The Unilateral commitments by CECED aim at safeguarding industrial interest and consumer satisfaction by agreeing to improve the average energy performance of products. The commitments cover refrigerators and freezers, washing machines and wash-dryers, dishwashers, and electrical storage water heaters. The objective is to go beyond the provisions of various directives and to improve all models instead.
The SAVE project EU-Cert.HP was aimed at initiating a European training and quality campaign for installers in the field of heat pump technology. It was supported by the European Commission within the Intelligent Energy Programme and was completed in 2006.
The EHPA quality label for heat pumps is granted to standardized heating electrically driven heat pumps if they meet the EHPA heat pump test criteria. The main criteria for the certificate are that the heat pump is compliant with all national rules and regulations (CE marking) and the existence of sales and distribution documents in the local language where the product is sold.
Eurovent Certification Programme
Eurovent Certification certifies the performance ratings of air-conditioning and refrigeration products according to European and international standards. The objective is to build up customer confidence by levelling the competitive playing field for all manufacturers and by increasing the integrity and accuracy of the industrial performance ratings. Eurovent certification is made up of different Programmes, each corresponding to one type of refrigeration or air-conditioning product.
National certification schemes:
this eco-label was set up by the Nordic Council of Ministers in order to provide reliable information about the environmental impact of products at all stages of the products' life cycle. The criteria for the label include consumption of natural resources and energy, harmful emissions, odours, waste and the potential of recycling and recovery. The criteria are revised approximately all three years to guarantee a continuous compliance of products.
