EurActive reports today that its special regulatory committee has approved rules to reduce the energy consumption of electrical appliances used in homes and offices.

The committee was formed as part of the implementation of the EU's 2005 eco-design of energy-using products (EuP) directive.

The electricity savings produced by the lower watt levels are expected to be equivalent to the yearly electricity consumption of Denmark and would prevent up to 14 million tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

Energy efficiency improvements are widely considered to be one of the most effective ways of reducing the energy intensity and environmental impact of economic activity in the EU. But Brussels and national administrations have been criticised for not doing enough in this area (see EurActiv 07/07/08 and 02/07/08).

Devices include hairdryers, computers, fridges, or office equipment and the new directives are aimed to make them more environmentally-friendly and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.