(1)

Under Regulation (EC) No 66/2010, the EU Ecolabel may be awarded to products which have a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle.

(2)

Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 provides that specific EU Ecolabel criteria are to be established according to product groups.

(3)

The Commission has drawn up a preliminary report on the technical, environmental, economic and legal aspects of the product group ‘water-based heaters’ typically used in the Union and made it publicly available for comment. The study on which this report is based (hereinafter ‘the study’) was devised together with stakeholders and interested parties from the Union and third countries.

(4)

The results of the study, presented in the preliminary report, have shown that energy consumption in the use phase contributes most significantly to the overall environmental impact of water-based heaters. Therefore, the use of energy-efficient and low greenhouse gas-emitting water-based heaters should be promoted and, in addition, such heaters using more environmental friendly technologies and proven to be safe for consumers should be supported.

(5)

It is appropriate to establish EU Ecolabel criteria for the product group ‘water-based heaters’.

(6)

The criteria, as well as the related assessment and verification requirements, should be valid for four years from the date of adoption of this Decision.

(7)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010,