Recommendations are often published unreliable on energy saving. The problem, however, is that doubts about the very reliability of some statements on theenergy label of many appliances. Legitimate doubts that the European Commission itself has expressed - albeit timidly - as happened in 2018 and 2019, noting serious inconsistencies in the tests considered as the basis for the electricity consumption of some household appliances.
The insufficient reliability of many "certifications"
The main reason, indeed the only one, is that these are not tests conducted by third-party and independent laboratories that assume responsibility for public evidence as was the case in the early years (with IMQ for example) but simple self-certifications. That is, the energy label is defined by the producers on the basis of the measurements they carry out, with an internal laboratory, if they have one. And they almost never have. This self-declaration system is unfortunately provided for by the European regulations (which the powerful German, English and American manufacturers and the large retail chains have influenced) and it is to the detriment of consumers since the Commission itself, again following heavy interventions by the big names in the sector, eliminated the controls because they were "too expensive". Three i damage: false data concerning huge quantities of products with European brands but produced elsewhere, no controls and higher consumption and by a lot. Insisting on this elimination was England in particular, interested in favoring its distribution chains that thrive on gigantic imports of Chinese products manufactured in myriad sites often equipped with unreachable email or telephone numbers.
The new European energy label: Eprel
The Brussels experts told us that there are many opaque self-certification protocols, and many specially installed software that "make up" the consumption databy lowering them. To the protests of the European consumer associations, the European Commission, in issuing the new energy label, simpler, has made a database available for free and online consultation since last May, also by private individuals, where it is possible to find out about all the updates of the products of the new energy label, the Eprel. But the data are always those self-certified by the manufacturer. An expensive but not moralizing operation. And the controls? The populists and the countries of Eastern Europe are opposed to financing them. On this matter, we asked for the opinion of, Antonio Guerrini, engineer, for several decades head of the association of household appliances and professional equipment manufacturers (CECED Italy and then APPLIA Italy).
Guerrini: "No third party verifies the certifications"
“What I feel like highlighting is the problem as big as a skyscraper - Guerrini began - of those who certify the classes. For years now the rule has been valid that no third party verifies. It must be systematic market controls carried out by the national authorities to reassure the citizen and this does not happen except sporadically. 'Crazy things' would come to mind to say, the inertia of bureaucracy hides behind the refrain 'there is no money', a fig leaf that does not convince anyone. Well, if the Administrations decide not to decide, then it is the multinationals that come out of the comfortable disputes behind closed doors and face each other openly on the market. And then, well i savings numbers but what is the database on which they are built? Plate data? Next, perhaps the veil will be lifted on the duration of the insulation efficiency of refrigerators. How long does it last? In other words, what is the decay curve?”.
Biographical notes Antonio Guerrini
Antonio Guerrini, electronic engineer graduated in Pavia, professor for a decade at the Turin Polytechnic Faculty of Architecture, vast international experience gained in large-scale multinational companies, general manager at theItalian Association of Household Appliances in ANIE and in Confindustria, roles in the European federations including that of Secretary General of EFCEM, works and interlocutions at the Commission and the European Parliament in the field of sector representations. Now commentator and writer engaged in a historical novel, an early medieval trilogy, ideally connected with the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of the battle of Pavia.
