Regulation (EU) No 174/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 February 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 on a Community energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment Text with EEA relevance

This Regulation establishes the rules for the Union energy-efficiency labelling programme for office equipment (hereinafter referred to as the Energy Star programme) as defined in the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment signed on 10 December 2012 in Brussels and 18 January 2013 in Washington (hereinafter referred to as “the Agreement”).

1 For the duration of the Agreement, central government authorities within the meaning of Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts shall, without prejudice to Union and national law and economic criteria, specify energy-efficiency requirements not less demanding than the Common Specifications for public supply contracts having a value equal to or greater than the thresholds laid down in Article 7 of that Directive. Contracting authorities at regional and local level shall be encouraged by Member States to use those requirements. This Article shall apply without prejudice to the provisions laid down in Article 6 of Directive 2012/27/EU and in point (c) of Annex III to that Directive.

2 For the duration of the Agreement the Commission and the other Union institutions shall, without prejudice to Union and national law and economic criteria, specify energy-efficiency requirements not less demanding than the Common Specifications for public supply contracts having a value equal to or greater than the thresholds laid down in Article 7 of Directive 2004/18/EC.

1 The Commission shall establish a European Union Energy Star Board (EUESB) consisting of national representatives referred to in Article 9 and representatives of interested parties. The EUESB shall review the implementation of the Energy Star programme within the Union and shall provide the Commission with advice and assistance, as appropriate, to enable it to carry out its role as Management Entity, as referred to in Article IV of the Agreement.

2 The Commission shall ensure that, to the extent possible in the conduct of its activities, the EUESB observes, in respect of each office equipment product group, the balanced participation of all relevant interested parties concerned with that product group, such as manufacturers, retailers, importers, environmental protection groups and consumer organisations.

3 The Commission, assisted by the EUESB, shall monitor the market penetration of products bearing the Common Logo and developments in the energy efficiency of office equipment, with a view to the timely revision of the Common Specifications.

4 The Commission shall establish the EUESB’s rules of procedure, taking account of the views of national representatives in the EUESB.’;

1 With a view to preparing for the revision of the Common Specifications and of the office equipment product groups covered by Annex C to the Agreement, and before submitting a draft proposal or replying to USEPA in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Agreement and in Council Decision 2013/107/EU of 13 November 2012 on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the European Union on the coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment , the steps set out in paragraphs 2 to 5 shall be taken.

2 The Commission may request the EUESB to make a proposal for the revision of the Agreement or of the Common Specifications for a product. The Commission may make a proposal to the EUESB for the revision of the Common Specifications for a product or the Agreement. The EUESB may also make a proposal to the Commission on its own initiative.

3 The Commission shall consult the EUESB whenever it receives a proposal for revision of the Agreement from USEPA.

4 When giving their views to the Commission, the members of the EUESB shall take into account the results of feasibility and market studies and best available technology for reducing energy consumption.

5 The Commission shall take particular account of the objective of setting Common Specifications at an ambitious level, as provided for in Article I, paragraph 3, of the Agreement, with the aim of reducing energy consumption and shall have due regard for the technology available and the associated life-cycle costs. In particular, the EUESB shall, before giving its views on any new Common Specifications, take into account the latest results of ecodesign studies.

Before the Parties to the Agreement discuss its renewal in accordance with Article XIV, paragraph 2 thereof, the Commission shall evaluate the effectiveness of the Energy Star programme in improving the energy efficiency of office equipment, in creating new jobs and in providing market opportunities for manufacturers, and assess alternative policy options such as those provided by Union legislation, in particular Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU. The results of such an evaluation and assessment shall be reported to the European Parliament and to the Council at least two years before the expiry of the Agreement.’;

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.