Harmonizing CO2 labels

Publication date: 07 October 2009

The European Commission has promised a revision of Europe's so-called CO2 Labelling Directive. Technical Director Wilfried Klanner explains the main issues at hand for car drivers.

The ten-year old CO2 Labelling Directive sets down rules for consumer information on new passenger cars as to fuel economy and CO2 emissions. In a nutshell, the 1999 EU Directive sets rules for providing fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions information on labels on new passenger cars in salesrooms, posters or displays (also electronic) and specific guides. All promotional literature, too, has to contain fuel consumption and specific CO2 emissions data of the car models to which it refers.

One of the main issues facing the European Commission is harmonizing the labels across 27 EU states so as to ensure better and more consistent information for consumers. A 2004/2005 study, by ADAC on behalf of the EU Commission, indicated the shortcomings. According to the ADAC study, the Labelling Directive is not a sufficiently effective tool for informing consumers.

Discussions have centred on whether to have "absolute" or "relative" labelling. Absolute labelling would class cars along an A-G scale according to their absolute emission levels. Cars with very low emissions would get "A" labels, whilst very high emission vehicles get "G" labels, regardless of their size or type. On the other hand, relative labelling, classes cars along an A-G scale that is related to their emission levels compared to cars of the same size or type.

FIA European Bureau Technical Director Wilfried Klanner, however, points out that relative labelling could mean small cars with low CO2 emissions being labelled "D". Large cars with higher CO2 emissions could be labelled "A", if they were the best-performing in their category.

"I'm confident that an absolute label will come about," explains Klanner. "Most proposals seem to be going in a similar direction. The majority of clubs are in favour of an absolute label independent of the vehicle size. We need pressure to downsize cars and encourage consumers to buy cars with lower CO2 emissions," he adds.

Clubs favour a CO2 emission labelling based on the existing energy labelling for home appliances. "Consumers are already used to this kind of labelling. There is also good experience with this type of CO2 labelling on cars in some member states, notably the UK," explains Klanner. "The A-G scale colours are also so well known. It is the best solution found for all the consumer ratings. It has also become a worldwide standard without standardization."

Klanner also feels it is important that CO2 emissions data be supplemented by CO2-related tax information in those countries that have such taxes. "That would be an extraordinary strong message for the consumers to decide for a car with low CO2 emissions," says Klanner.

The FIA European Bureau participated in the European Commission's official consultation. For our detailed policy response check our website