The Ecodesign legislation works by setting minimum energy efficiency and environmental requirements for household and industrial products. EU energy labels provide information to consumers on the products’ energy consumption and environmental performance, and help them make informed decisions.

We found that EU actions contributed effectively to reaching the objectives of the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling policy, but that effectiveness was reduced by significant delays in the regulatory process and non-compliance by manufacturers and retailers.

Our recommendations to the Commission address improvements to the regulatory process and the way the impact of the policy is measured, as well as actions to facilitate exchange of information between Market Surveillance Authorities and to improve compliance with the policy.

In order to enhance the impact of the ecodesign and energy labelling policy for the period after
2020, the auditors make a number of recommendations to the European Commission covering:

• measures to speed up the regulatory process, for instance by adopting implementing
  measures when they are ready, rather than when a package is complete;
• improvements in the way the impact of the policy is measured and reported, by
  improving assumptions and using a methodology that measures actual energy
  consumption by end users; and
• action to facilitate information exchange between market surveillance authorities in
  Member States and to improve compliance with the policy. This should include improving
  relevant tools for Member States, disseminating best practices and providing training
  upon request.

ECA special report pursuant to Article 287(4), second subparagraph, TFEU.