Eu To Ban High-Energy Hair Dryers, Smartphones And Kettles

[naomi24]

A good idea - or a drop in the ocean?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11061538/EU-to-ban-high-energy-hair-dryers-smartphones-and-kettles.html

[Gromit]

This is all old news. The European Ecodesign Directive was passed 5 years ago. Under that standard, energy wasteful products have been targeted and the ones with poor energy efficiency ratings phased out. It started with light bulbs and plasma tvs. Then boilers and vacuum cleaners They are gradually working their way through the household and weeding out the most wasteful. The aim is to reduce Europe's energy needs, which is an excellent idea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=European_Ecodesign_Directive

[gness]

It would, Naomi....then the EU would find a way of taxing it....x

[naomi24]

Gromit, it will be new news when it happens. This proposal is still in draft form.

[jim360]

Even if many don't take it up, which is likely I'll admit, those who do certainly haven't made things worse either for themselves or the environment. The global impact will be negligible but if we take enough negligible steps their sum could be significant. It is surely worth a try.

[naomi24]

gness, indeed! :o)

[Ann]

EU twaddle!

[Gromit]

The ban will not be instant. As with all th other electrical goods that have been reviewed, the ban will be several years off. Manufacturers can make new products that are more efficient at the development stage. By the time the ban comes into force, better products will be in the shops.

[anotheoldgit]

It might help if they cut down on the 'Hot Air' coming out of Brussels.

[jim360]

AOG for best answer? :-)

[anotheoldgit]

It will all bring in more trade for China, the country responsible for much of the global warming.

[Old_Geezer]

If they truly wish to sort out global warming they should look for a form of energy generation that doesn't contribute as much to the greenhouse issue as present fossil fuels do, and which as just as convenient and consistent. They should look to industry to minimise waste that causes issues to. What they should not do is beat up the public as an easy way to look as if they are doing something. If they are are that concerned about a determined effort to reduce the world's population. Fewer folk needing goods and suchlike results in less pollution and a lower need for resources too. I think this is all pushing folk around for show and little to do with anything constructive.

[Gromit]

// It will all bring in more trade for China //

Not sure what you are getting at there. Most of the electronic goods we buy already come from China. The ban on high energy consuming goods will apply to worldwide manufacturers, not just EU ones. If it doesn't meet the minimum specification, it will not be allowed to be imported into the EU.

[sevenOP]

Maybe the high-energy ban will spread to munitions.

[ToraToraTora]

every little helps I suppose but then again a big thing helps even more. Perhaps they should cap the Icelandic volcanoes that keep undoing all our good work!

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

// It will all bring in more trade for China //

Not sure what you are getting at there. Most of the electronic goods we buy already come from China.

Yes but they will now be busy producing an anonymous amount of these low energy devices specially for the European market.

[Mamyalynne]

They'll have us back dwelling in caves with no light,heat or running water soon.


What's next on the agenda? Uninvent the wheel?

[bazwillrun]

"They are gradually working their way through the household and weeding out the most wasteful. The aim is to reduce Europe's energy needs, which is an excellent idea. "

another prime example of how to keep all their petty little bureaucrats employed, but as usual we will bend over backwards to accomodate them and their laws they force down our throats, instead of telling them to shove it up their collective rsoles

[youngmafbog]

jim
//but in practice kettles also heat up the environment//

Exactly so the longer it is warming up the more will dissipate into the air. Heating it quickly will loose less. Oh dear your physics is not too hot is it?

Why are you amazed at my attitude. It is what happens.

[Gromit]

AOG

China does manufacturing, not design. Your TVs and phones and probably hair dryers are designed by European and US companies, and are manufactured in China.

This is a great opportunity for UK and European companies to design better products that will cost less to run and therefore save the consumer in energy costs. I am sure British companies are up to the challenge, and if they are, can produce world class designs (that China will build for us).