Time to show support for an EU energy label for windows - Launch of a communication campaign by Glass for Europe

Talking about the energy transition last March, Commissioner Arias Cañete highlighted in his speech to the Citizens Energy Forum that “No consumer will change their behaviour unless they understand what's in it for them. Consumers need access to information that is clear, understandable, reliable and delivered in real-time”.  

Glass for Europe, the trade association of Europe’ manufacturers of building, automotive and solar-energy glass, cannot agree more with Commissioner Arias Cañete and, for this reason, will launch on May 18 a communication campaign to support the development of a robust and simple EU energy label for windows.

“When one contemplates how much the choice of the right windows for each building can generate energy savings, reduced CO2 emissions and healthier buildings, an EU energy label for windows is urgently needed’ declared Houchan Shoeibi, CEO of Saint-Gobain Glass and Chairman of Glass for Europe.

Energy labelling has demonstrated to be among the most efficient EU tools to help consumers make informed choices. By providing simple, relevant and comparable information on the energy performance of each window product available on the market, consumers will be able of making a knowledgeable purchase decision without being confused by overly complex technical information. In addition, an EU label will push energy efficient window solutions and serve as an additional incentive for manufacturers to develop ever better performing products.

The main purpose of the campaign developed by Glass for Europe is to inform citizens and decision makers about the added-value of an EU label for windows. Bertrand Cazes, Secretary General of Glass for Europe, explains: “Window products have long been identified as a priority product for the development of an EU label and now is time for the EU to transform the try. An 18-month preparatory study is being finalized so the European Commission should be encouraged to make a meaningful regulatory proposal swiftly”.

“With this campaign, we want to show that European authorities have the opportunity to develop an instrument that is good not only for citizens, but also for the economy and the climate”, concluded Houchan Shoeibi.

The campaign, built around a two-minute video clip, a specific website and the hashtag #Label4Windows is already accessible online: www.windowenergylabel.eu .

Press kit

Download the press kit here: http://windowenergylabel.eu/presskit.rar

The communication campaign is centred on a video and a dedicated website. The message will be shared on line on main social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn with the hashtag #Label4Windows.

On-line advertising campaigns will be launched in the near future.

The campaign aims to gain support from European citizens, consumers and environmental organisations, as well as industrial stakeholders.

Website: www.windowenergylabel.eu

Video link: https://youtu.be/Fvin_kKzfA4

To embed the video on a website please cut and paste the code below:

<iframe width="560" height="315"

src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fvin_kKzfA4" frameborder="0"

allowfullscreen></iframe>

About Glass for Europe

Glass for Europe is the trade association for Europe’s manufacturers of flat glass. Flat glass is the material that goes into a variety of end-products and primarily in windows and façades for buildings, windscreens and windows for automotive and transport as well as glass covers, connectors and mirrors for solar-energy equipments. Flat glass is also used for many other applications such as furniture, electronics, appliances, etc.

Glass for Europe has four members: AGC Glass Europe, NSG-Group, Saint-Gobain Glass and Sisecam-Trakya Cam and works in association with Guardian. Altogether, these five companies represent 90% of Europe’s flat glass production. Glass for Europe firmly believes that state-of-the-art glass can play a vital role in achieving the EU’s energy saving targets and promotes ambitious mechanisms to support the market uptake of energy-efficient glass technologies.