April 24 (Bloomberg) -- The European Union agreed to set environmental standards for household products such as windows and showerheads in a bid to reduce energy consumption. Some goods could be banned as a result.

The European Parliament approved a draft law expanding 2005 legislation on the ecological design of energy-using products to cover goods that have an indirect effect on power consumption. Water-using items such as taps are covered because hot water requires energy.

This will “provide consumers with more efficient, more reliable and longer-lasting products,” said Magor Imre Csibi, a Romanian member who steered the measure through the 27-nation EU assembly today in Strasbourg, France. Governments have already signaled their support under a fast-track accord with the Parliament, making their final approval a formality in the coming weeks.

The EU aims to improve energy efficiency by 20 percent in 2020. The bloc wants to prevent its 50 percent dependency on energy imports from rising to 65 percent in 2030 and to reduce emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide that are blamed for climate change and come mainly from energy.

The 2005 EU eco-design legislation covers electrical goods, electronic devices and heating equipment. The new law expands the rules for energy-using products to cover “energy-related” goods.

Standards

Products -- including imports from outside the EU -- that fail to meet the minimum norms would be prohibited from the market. The standards will be set by the European Commission in cooperation with authorities from EU member states, a process that is still taking place for a first group of energy-using goods such as light bulbs under the original legislation.

About a third of energy used in buildings could be saved by 2030 through measures including eco-design standards, according to the commission, the EU’s Brussels-based regulatory arm, which proposed the expansion of the rules last July.

Earlier this month, the Parliament approved two related legislative initiatives. One broadens a voluntary eco-label program to cover foods, drinks and services. The second strengthens and expands a voluntary Eco-Management and Audit Scheme letting organizations that go beyond environmental requirements use a logo.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Stearns in Brussels at jstearns2@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: April 24, 2009 06:47 EDT