Links > MTP Supported Projects

The MTP has and continues to work constructively with other product policy related schemes underway around the world.  MTP encourages the use of its resource consumption data and technical expertise to inform and provide guidance to several external projects. Examples of projects supported by MTP include:

  • Framework Directive for the Eco-design of Energy Using Products (EuP) The EuP Directive provides a framework for establishing minimum eco-design requirements for energy using products and so aims to reduce their environmental impact. While the scope of the Directive covers all energy using products, except transport, requirements relating to individual products, product groups or functions of products (e.g. stand-by) are being developed in a range of preparatory studies. MTP is engaged with the project teams carrying out the preparatory studies to provide detailed information and advice from the UKs perspective to try to ensure that the studies are robust and comprehensive. The EU will issue draft implementing measures after the preparatory studies have reported. MTP will assist the Government in consulting with stakeholders on their views on what the UK position should be on these measures.
  • The UK Government's Energy White Paper: Meeting the Energy Challenge was launched on Wednesday 23 May 2007. The second chapter of the Paper focuses on action on saving energy including product policy. In particular, it announces initiatives to publish and consult on the Government’s targets and indicative standards for energy using products. To support this work, Government, through the Market Transformation Programme, is publishing a series of consultation papers.
  • MTP – Defra Retailer Initiative. The Market Transformation Programme is supporting the Defra in taking forward a voluntary initiative with retailers to raise the energy efficiency of consumer electronics products. The aim of the initiative is to encourage retailers to procure and sell products which meet the Government’s indicative energy efficiency standards. The MTP product Red/Green Calculator has been developed to facilitate this process, allowing users to interactively assess their product range and receive simple information on its performance relative to Government indicative standards.

  • International (Marrakech) Task Force on Sustainable Products. Defra launched the International Task Force for Sustainable Products (ITFSP) in November 2005. Led by the UK with participants from 13 countries, the IEA and the UN, the ITFSP aims to identify the priorities of action, then stimulate support to encourage more environmentally sustainable energy efficient products.
  • East African Delegation Visit - Sustainable Products Policy  (109 kB). On the 26 January 2006, a delegation of Senior Ministers, engineers and project managers from various East African countries, came to visit the MTP team to discuss Sustainable Product Policy and learn from MTP's experiences in developing the Programme.
  • EEDAL '06 Conference. 4th International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Domestic Applianes and Lighting, 21-23 June 2006, Millennium Conference Centre, London. Organised in collaboration with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, EEDAL '06 was a major international conference which brought together world experts to present the latest policy and technical advances influencing the energy and environmental performance of domestic appliances and lighting. Copies of the promotional brochure, papers and presentations are available here.
  • Market Transformation Programme in China  (258 kB). This project aims to improve energy efficiency in China and the UK by sharing experience on the development of product policy. The project will focus on traded products that are of strategic importance to both countries. UK experts will work with Chinese institutions to assess current gaps, prioritise appropriate policy tools and develop a road map to progress product policy in China. The project is jointly funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and MTP.

  • A Review of UK Policy Requirements  (271 kB). This project assessed the extent to which MTP’s approach to setting and raising product standards would help with the implementation of the Government’s objectives and visions. The project identified linkages between objectives that related to product policy, identified policy risks and opportunities for collaboration.
  • The 40% House Project explored how to reduce domestic carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 in line with the Government's Energy White Paper and the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The project was set up with funding from the UK Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and MTP.
  • Seminar for Distance Sellers on EU Energy Label Regulations. A seminar was held on 8 September 2006 for retailers who sell products covered by the energy label regulations by distance methods (e.g. catalogues and internet). Trading Standards Officers were also invited to attend. The aim of the event was to encourage retailers to consider how they can best provide the energy efficiency information required by the regulations to consumers. Please refer to the word document for more details and download the presentations here.
Distance sellers web page 
Distance Retailers Pt 1 Introduction 
Distance Retailers Pt 2 Regulations 
Distance Retailers Pt 3 Importance of Energy Labels 
Distance Retailers Pt 4 Enforcement 
Distance Retailers Pt 5 Current Examples