January 3, 2007—The European Union and the United States have signed a new agreement to continue the ENERGY STAR program for office equipment for another five years.
The agreement features demanding energy efficiency criteria for computers, copiers, printers and computer monitors, and is expected to yield 30 TWh electricity savings – the approximate equivalent of the electricity demand in Hungary – in the EU over the next three years. ENERGY STAR is part of the Commission’s strategy to better manage energy demand, contribute to the security of energy supply and mitigate climate change.
Improving the energy performance of appliances is one of the top priorities of the recent Energy Efficiency Action Plan from the European Commission to the United States. The implementation of the Energy Star program in the EU will be adapted according to the experience gained during the first program period, which started in 2001.
The program encourages and supports procurers and consumers in purchasing efficient products through the provision of a label for equipment complying with the program’s energy efficiency criteria. It also provides assistance on how to save energy and money through the proper use of equipment.
For more information, visit the ENERGY STAR Web site.
