Date: 2019-07-03Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Commission Decision (EU) 2019/1134 of 1 July 2019 amending Decision 2009/300/EC and Decision (EU) 2015/2099, as regards the period of validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel to certain products, and of the related assessment and verification requirements (notified under document C(2019) 4626) (Text with EEA relevance.)
Executive Summary:
This Commission Decision extends the validity of EU Ecolabel criteria for televisions until December 31, 2020, and for growing media, soil improvers, and mulch until June 30, 2022. These extensions allow for further assessment and revision of criteria, ensuring market stability and continued benefits for current EU Ecolabel holders. The decision amends Decisions 2009/300/EC and (EU) 2015/2099 accordingly.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Television Ecolabel Criteria:**
* The validity of the ecological criteria and assessment requirements for televisions, as defined in Decision 2009/300/EC, is extended.
* The new expiration date for these criteria is December 31, 2020.
* This extension allows for further assessment and potential revision of the criteria, pending the adoption of new energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.
* **Growing Media, Soil Improvers, and Mulch Ecolabel Criteria:**
* The validity of the ecological criteria and assessment requirements for growing media, soil improvers, and mulch, as defined in Decision (EU) 2015/2099, is extended.
* The new expiration date for these criteria is June 30, 2022.
* This extension aims to provide market stability and allow current license holders to maintain EU Ecolabel benefits.
* **Amending Decisions:**
* Decision 2009/300/EC is amended by replacing Article 3 to reflect the new validity period for television ecological criteria.
* Decision (EU) 2015/2099 is amended by replacing Article 4 to reflect the new validity period for growing media, soil improvers, and mulch ecological criteria.
Impact Analysis:
* **EU Ecolabel License Holders (Televisions):**
* *Impact:* The validity of their EU Ecolabel for televisions is extended until December 31, 2020, allowing them to continue using the label under the existing criteria for a limited time.
* *Action Required:* Monitor developments regarding revised ecological criteria for televisions and prepare for potential changes in requirements after December 31, 2020.
* **EU Ecolabel License Holders (Growing Media, Soil Improvers, and Mulch):**
* *Impact:* The validity of their EU Ecolabel for these products is extended until June 30, 2022, allowing them to maintain the benefits of the label on their awarded products.
* *Action Required:* Continue to comply with the existing ecological criteria and assessment requirements until June 30, 2022.
* **European Commission:**
* *Impact:* Tasked with finalizing the assessment and potential revision or discontinuation of the current ecological criteria for televisions.
* *Action Required:* Finalize assessment and revision of television ecological criteria before December 31, 2020.
* **Member States:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing and enforcing the amended decisions within their respective jurisdictions.
* *Action Required:* Acknowledge and implement the changes to the validity periods of the ecological criteria for televisions and growing media, soil improvers, and mulch.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
EU Ecolabel: A voluntary ecolabel scheme intended to promote products and services with a reduced environmental impact.
European Parliament: The parliamentary body of the European Union.
European Commission: An executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
Commission Decision 2009/300/EC: A Commission Decision establishing the revised ecological criteria for the award of the Community Ecolabel to televisions.
Commission Decision EU 2015/2099: A Commission Decision establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for growing media, soil improvers and mulch.
Regulation (EC) No 66/2010: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the EU Ecolabel.
Karmenu Vella: Member of the European Commission.
3.7.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 179/25
COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2019/1134
of 1 July 2019
amending Decision 2009/300/EC and Decision (EU) 2015/2099, as regards the period of validity of
the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel to certain products, and of the related
assessment and verification requirements
(notified under document C(2019) 4626)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on
the EU Ecolabel (1), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,
After consulting the European Union Ecolabelling Board,
Whereas:
(1) The validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for televisions, and of the related
assessment and verification requirements, set out in Commission Decision 2009/300/EC (2) expires on
31 December 2019.
(2) The validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for growing media, soil improvers and
mulch, and of the related assessment and verification requirements, set out in Commission Decision (EU)
2015/2099 (3) expires on 18 November 2019.
(3) The EU Ecolabel criteria for televisions laid down in Decision 2009/300/EC refer, as regards energy savings, to
the energy labelling and eco-design requirements for televisions laid down in Commission Regulation (EC)
No 642/2009 (4) and in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1062/2010 (5) both of which are currently
under review in the light of technological progress.
(4) In line with the conclusions of the EU Ecolabel Fitness check (REFIT) of 30 June 2017 (6), the Commission,
together with the EU Ecolabelling Board, has been assessing the relevance of each product group before
proposing its prolongation, suggesting solutions to improve synergies across product groups and to increase the
uptake of EU Ecolabel, and ensuring that, during the revision process, appropriate attention is paid to the
coherence between relevant EU policies, legislation and scientific evidence. Additional public stakeholders consul
tations have also been carried out.
(5) For Decision (EU) 2015/2099, this assessment confirmed the relevance and appropriateness of the current
ecological criteria and of the related assessment and verification requirements.
(6) For Decision 2009/300/EC, this assessment should further reflect on the relevance and appropriateness of the
criteria, pending adoption of the proposed new energy labelling and eco-design requirements for televisions,
including the proposals for additional requirements in support of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Directive and broader circular economy objectives.
(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.2010, p. 1.
(2) Commission Decision 2009/300/EC of 12 March 2009 establishing the revised ecological criteria for the award of the Community Eco-
label to televisions (OJ L 82, 28.3.2009, p. 3)
(3) Commission Decision (EU) 2015/2099 of 18 November 2015 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for
growing media, soil improvers and mulch (OJ L 303, 20.11.2015, p. 75).
(4) Commission Regulation (EC) No 642/2009 of 22 July 2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for televisions (OJ L 191, 23.7.2009, p. 42).
(5) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1062/2010 of 28 September 2010 supplementing Directive 2010/30/EU of the European
Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of televisions (OJ L 314, 30.11.2010, p. 64).
(6) Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the review of implementation of Regulation (EC)
No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations in
a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) and the Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the parliament and of the Council of
25 November 2009 on the EU EcolabelL 179/26 EN Official Journal of the European Union 3.7.2019
(7) In those circumstances, in order to allow sufficient time for finalizing the assessment and potential revision or
discontinuation of the current ecological criteria for televisions, the period of validity of the existing criteria for
televisions and related assessment and verification requirements, should be prolonged until 31 December 2020.
(8) To give stability to the market, increase the uptake of the EU Ecolabel and allow current licence holders to
maintain the benefits of the EU Ecolabel on their awarded products, the period of validity of the current criteria
for growing media, soil improvers and mulch and of the related assessment and verification requirements, should
be prolonged until 30 June 2022.
(9) It is therefore appropriate to prolong the period of validity of the ecological criteria for the product groups
‘televisions’ and ‘growing media, soil improvers and mulch’ and of the related assessment and verification
requirements.
(10) Decision 2009/300/EC and Decision (EU) 2015/2099 should be amended accordingly.
(11) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee set up by
Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Article 3 of Decision 2009/300/EC is replaced by the following:
‘Article 3
The ecological criteria for the product group “televisions” and the related assessment and verification requirements
shall be valid until 31 December 2020.’.
Article 2
Article 4 of Decision (EU) 2015/2099 is replaced by the following:
‘Article 4
The ecological criteria for the product group “growing media, soil improvers and mulch”, and the related assessment
and verification requirements, shall be valid until 30 June 2022.’.
Article 3
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 1 July 2019.
For the Commission
Karmenu VELLA
Member of the Commission