Repsol YPF

The government recently approved a royal decree to incorporate EU legislation on creating EU energy labelling into Spanish law. Its enactment affects all products that once sold or installed require a source of energy, be it electricity, fossil fuels or renewable energy sources in order to work. It refers particularly to products with a "significant environmental impact" and specifically to the use of a label that defines, amongst other aspects, its “ecological design” features. 

The European Union ecological labelling system identifies those products which are most environmentally-friendly. It is the only logo that applies to all of the Member States of the European Union. 

Choosing the most efficient products makes financial sense and is one of the best ways of sustaining energy on an everyday basis. This law incorporates the EU directive of 6 July 2005 into Spanish law, establishing a framework to set out ecological design requirements that apply to products that use energy.

The government is thus proceeding in its attempt to contribute towards sustainable development. It is seeking to develop energy efficiency, reduce pollution and increase the safety of the supply. 

Changes

Technological and regulatory progress has meant that the electrical and gas domestic appliance industry has launched models that ensure that we can live with the same comforts whilst consuming energy in a more environmentally-friendly way.

Meanwhile, the law will now force the industry to modify the manufacturing process for products that use energy. In other words, all devices which once they are sold or installed require an energy source in order to work as intended, including the parts that need a source of energy and are to be incorporated in these products. 

The royal decree, which amends the existing law, also states that products which have obtained the EU ecological label established by the  European Parliament and Council Regulation of 17 July 2000, fulfil the ecological design requirements as long as the label itself complies.

The guidelines formulated in the text apply, for example, to new hot water boilers which are powered by liquid or gas fuels, to fridges, freezers and combined electrical household appliances, as well as to fluorescent lighting.

Environmental marketing

It is also true that increased environmental awareness is accompanied by what is known as environmental marketing. In this respect, European ecological labelling, the only environmental quality seal certified by an independent body and recognised throughout Europe, is a unique marketing opportunity.

Selling a product with ecological labelling means offering benefits such as lower energy consumption (= 42% better than energy class A); the absence of harmful gases which favour global warming and flame retardants which are harmful or dangerous for our health and the environment; limiting noise levels; designing to enable easy recycling; instructions for use which respect the environment, prolonged product life (the manufacturer guarantees that the appliance will work for at least 3 years after it is delivered); spare parts and after-sales service guaranteed for 12 years after manufacturing stops, and a collection service for used products.

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