EU adopts Energy Star ecolabel revision

The EU has approved a revision of the Energy Star ecolabel for office equipment.  Agriculture ministers rubber-stamped a deal reached in July on Monday (EED 10/07/07).  The main novelty is a requirement to make some criteria mandatory in public procurement contracts.  The new law "will further push manufacturers to put efficient equipment on the market while making good use of public money," EU energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs said.  It also "proves the EU's commitment to turn ambitious energy efficiency goals into reality."  See agriculture council minutes (page 32), commission press release and EU Energy Star pages.