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Energy Efficiency Directive (EED)
The 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive establishes a set of binding measures to help the EU reach its 20 % energy efficiency target by 2020. Under the Directive, all EU countries are required to use energy more efficiently at all stages of the energy chain from its production to its final consumption.
EU countries were required to transpose the Directive’s provisions into their national laws by 5 June 2014.
Article 6 of the EED (2012/27/EU) states that Member States shall ensure that central governments purchase only products, services and buildings with a high energy-efficiency performance insofar that it is consistent with cost-effectiveness, economical feasibility, wider sustainability, technical suitability and sufficient competition. Article 6 also encourages Member States to apply these public purchase requirements to other public bodies, including at the regional and local levels. Annex III provides more details on what should be considered as high energy-efficiency performance for some products. The link between Public Procurement Directives and the EED is very strong. To be effective, energy efficiency standards must be applied at the right stage of the public procurement procedure.