EU: EC proposes “labelling” for cars

The European Commission has decided on the content of a proposed directive which will require manufacturers and retailers to provide potential car buyers with information on vehicle fuel consumption. A Commission spokesman said: “The objective of the proposal is to direct consumer choice towards fuel-saving models and to contribute thereby to the Community strategy of reducing polluting emissions from passenger cars”. Under the proposal, developed on the initiative of Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard, this information will be provided by: an appropriate label on cars exhibited in sales showrooms; free distribution of a consumer guide; a fact-sheet posted in sales outlets; and the inclusion of data on fuel consumption in all promotional material.