CYPRUS is in trouble with the European Commission again after failing to implement a 2010 EU directive on energy labelling.
The commission said yesterday that despite a formal notice, Cyprus has not sought help or taken any measures to transpose the directive into their legal framework.
It is therefore sending a “reasoned opinion” along with a warning that failure to do implement the directive within two months could mean a referral to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
“Despite letters of formal notice sent on 18 July 2011, Cyprus, Romania and Italy have not yet informed the Commission of the full transposition of the Directive into their national legislation” the commission said in a statement.
“Therefore the Commission has today decided to send Reasoned Opinions to these Member States. If they do not comply with their legal obligations within two months, the Commission may refer them to the Court of Justice.”
This is the latest in a series of “reasoned opinions” that Cyprus has received in recent years for non compliance with EU directives.
For example, a month ago Cyprus received one for failure to curb illegal landfills and last year was referred to the ECJ for non-compliance with EU rules on the free movement of capital.
Cyprus is not alone in its failure to implement the directives, however. Commission’s energy spokeswoman Marlene Holzner said that Italy, for example: “Simply has not transposed this at all, has not taken any action.”
The initial law, adopted in 2003, classified products using a system of grades from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient.
The 2010 update introduced the higher classes A+,A++ and A+++ after technological development of appliances meant most products already reached class A.
The grades are meant to help consumers make cost-saving decisions about the products they buy and encourage manufacturers to develop products with a high energy-efficient rating.
“The energy labelling directive is important in promoting energy efficiency and raising consumers’ awareness. By giving consumers comparative information on the energy consumption of the products they buy, the energy label favours better energy and cost saving decisions” the commission said.
However, consumer organisations say the new labelling of products is unclear and confusing. Environmental activists, meanwhile, are pushing for a review of the law, which they are expecting in 2014.
Holzner denied plans to draw up a new directive: “When we talked about this labelling, we asked consumers what kind of labelling they would prefer and what would be the easiest for them.”
For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/x3TNto
