Ecolabel expansion backed by MEPs

Eco-labelling should be simplified and expanded to cover more products, according to a group of MEPs.

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has backed proposals by the European Commission to give ecolabels to all products with an impact on energy use, including windows, insulation materials, and water-using devices.

In addition, they said that the Ecolabel should be made simpler and less costly to use.

Small and medium sized businesses should have better access to the flower-shaped label, the MEPs say.

Meanwhile, processed foods and dangerous chemical products were ruled out as being unsuitable for an eco-label.

MEPs also raised questions about whether the environmental impact of food, fisheries and aquaculture products can be adequately determined.

In related news, the committee backed proposals for the eco-design directive to be expanded.

This directive allows the European Commission to set design requirements for energy related products developed in the EU.

Consumer goods including televisions, light bulbs, and fans could become subject to the directive.