COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 02.12.1996 
COM(%) (>40 final 
95/0131 (SYN) 
Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning a multiannual programme for the promotion 
of energy efficiency in the Community 
- SAVE II -
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 c (d) 
of the EC Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
The Commission adopted on the 31 May 1995 a proposal for a Council decision 
concerning a multi-annual programme for the promotion of energy efficiency in the 
Community SAVE II. The proposal is based on Article 130s (1) of the Treaty which 
foresees the co-operation procedure with the European Parliament. On the 16 April 
1996 the Parliament gave its opinion on the first reading. A Common position was 
reached by the Council on 8 July 1996. On the 12 November 1996 the Parliament 
gave its opinion on the second reading of the above Common Position. Fourteen 
amendments were voted and accepted. 
The principal preoccupations of the Parliament matched those of the Commission. Of 
the fourteen amendments proposed, the Commission accepted three without reserve 
(no 6,7 and 11) and 8 partially (no 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15). 
Three amendments had not been accepted by the Commission for the following 
reasons: 
•_Am. no2 as the goal of SAVE was only to contribute and not to fully realised the 
objective fixed in 1986. 
• Am. no3 because the objective to improve the energy intensity level by 1% 
proposed by the Commission is already ambitious enough, and 
• Am. no10 as it concerns activities which have not been retained in the programme. 
The Commission presents in annex the re-examined proposal, which takes into 
account amendments proposed by the Parliament. 
4 
Re-examined proposal for a 
(PUNCH DIX ISION 
concerning a multiannual programme for the promotion 
of energy efficiency in the Community 
- SAVE II -
A ^ 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Community, and in particular 
Article 130s(l) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission ('), 
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic 
and Social Committee (2), 
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of 
the Regions (3), 
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid 
down in Article 189(c) of the Treaty (4), 
(1) Whereas Article 130r of the Treaty states 
that one objective of the Community 
policy on the environment shall be to 
ensure a prudent and rational utilization of 
natural resources; 
(2) Whereas at its meeting on 
29 October 1990 the Council set an 
objective of stabilizing total C02 
emissions by the year 2000 at the 1990 
level in the Community as a whole; THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Community, and in particular 
Article 130s(l) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission ('), 
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic 
and Social Committee (2), 
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of 
the Regions (3), 
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid 
down in Article 189(c) of the Treaty (4), 
(1) Whereas Article 130r of the Treaty states 
that one objective of the Community 
policy on the environment shall be to 
ensure a prudent and rational utilization of 
natural resources; 
(2) Whereas at its meeting on 
29 October 1990 the Council set an 
objective of stabilizing total C02 
emissions by the year 2000 at the 1990 
level in the Community as a whole; 
0 
(3) 
(4) OJ No C 346, 23.12.1995, p. 14. 
OJNo C 82, 19. 3.1996, p. 13. 
OJNo C 129, 2. 5.1996, p. 36. 
Opinion of the European Parliament of 16 April 1996 (OJ No C 
Common Position of the Council of ( ) 
and Decision of the European Parliament of ( ) 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
(3) Whereas Decision 93/389/EEC (5) 
established a monitoring mechanism of 
Community C02 and other greenhouse gas 
emissions; 
(4) Whereas nonetheless, despite efforts made, 
C02 emissions in the Community 
generated by energy consumption are 
expected to increase by 5 to 8 % between 
1995 and 2000, assuming normal 
economical growth; whereas, therefore, 
additional measures are indispensable; (3) Whereas Decision 93/389/EEC (5) 
established a monitoring mechanism of 
Community C02 and other greenhouse gas 
emissions; 
(4) Whereas nonetheless, despite efforts made, 
C02 emissions in the Community 
generated by energy consumption are 
expected to increase by 5 to 8 % between 
1995 and 2000, assuming normal 
economical growth; whereas, therefore, 
additional measures are indispensable; 
(5) Whereas the Commission, in its 
communication of 8 February 1990 on 
energy and the environment, highlighted 
energy efficiency as the cornerstone of 
future efforts to reduce the negative 
impact of energy on the environment; 
(6) Whereas the improvement in the 
management of energy is urgently needed 
in order to contribute to the protection of 
the environment, to a better security of 
energy supply and to sustainable 
development; 
(7) Whereas the Commission has 
communicated to the Council and the 
European Parliament, by means of the 
Green Paper of 11 January 1995 and the 
White Paper of 13 December 1995, its 
views on the future of energy policy in the 
Community, and the role of energy-saving 
and energy efficiency measures; (5) Whereas the Commission, in its 
communication of 8 February 1990 on 
energy and the environment, highlighted 
energy efficiency as the cornerstone of 
future efforts to reduce the negative 
impact of energy on the environment; 
(6) Whereas the improvement in the 
management of energy is urgently needed 
in order to contribute to the protection of 
the environment, to a better security of 
energy supply and to sustainable 
development; 
(7) Whereas the Commission has 
communicated to the Council and the 
European Parliament, by means of the 
Green Paper of 11 January 1995 and the 
White Paper of 13 December 1995, its 
views on the future of energy policy in the 
Community, and the role of energy-saving 
and energy efficiency measures; 
(5) OJNoL 167, 9.7.1993, p. 31. 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
(8) Whereas Article 130a of the Treaty 
provides that the Community should 
develop and pursue its actions leading to 
the strengthening of its economic and 
social cohesion, and that it should, in 
particular, reduce disparities between the 
levels of development of the various 
regions and the backwardness of the least-
favoured regions; whereas energy should 
be integrated into that effort; 
(9) Whereas, by Decision 91/565/EEC (6), a 
Community energy efficiency programme 
(SAVE), aimed at strengthening energy 
efficiency infrastructures within the 
Community, was adopted; whereas that 
programme expired on 31 December 1995; 
(10) Whereas the Community recognized the 
SAVE programme as an important element 
of the Community's C02 reduction 
strategy; whereas the communication of 
the Commission of 8 May 1991 on the 
European Community's energy 
programming activities at regional level, 
the conclusion of the Council on this 
communication, (8) Whereas Article 130a of the Treaty 
provides that the Community should 
develop and pursue its actions leading to 
the strengthening of its economic and 
social cohesion, and that it should, in 
particular, reduce disparities between the 
levels of development of the various 
regions and the backwardness of the least-
favoured regions; whereas energy should 
be integrated into that effort; 
(9) Whereas, by Decision 91/565/EEC (6), a 
Community energy efficiency programme 
(SAVE), aimed at strengthening energy 
efficiency infrastructures within the 
Community, was adopted; whereas that 
programme expired on 31 December 1995; 
(10) Whereas the Community recognized the 
SAVE programme as an important 
element of the Community's C02 
reduction strategy; whereas the 
communication of the Commission of 
8 May 1991 on the European 
Community's energy programming 
activities at regional level, the conclusion 
of the Council on this communication, 
(6) OJNoL307, 8.11.1991, p. 34. 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
and the Resolution of the European 
Parliament of 16 July 1993 (7) stated that 
those activities should be pursued, 
amplified and utilized as a support for the 
energy strategy of the Community; 
whereas this initiative for regional actions 
should now be totally incorporated into a 
new SAVE II programme; and the Resolution of the European 
Parliament of 16 July 1993 (7) stated that 
those activities should be pursued, 
amplified and utilized as a support for the 
energy strategy of the Community; 
whereas this initiative for regional actions 
should now be totally incorporated into a 
new SAVE II programme; 
(11) Whereas by Decision No 1110/94/EC of 
the European Parliament and of the 
Council (8), a Fourth Framework 
Programme for actions in technological 
research, development and demonstration 
was established; whereas energy efficiency 
policy constitutes an important instrument 
for the use and promotion of the new 
energy technologies that the Framework 
Programme will establish; whereas the 
SAVE II programme represents a policy 
instrument which complements this 
programme; 
(12) Whereas the SAVE II programme aims at 
improving energy intensity of final 
consumption by a further one percentage 
point per annum over that which would 
have been otherwise attained; (11) Whereas by Decision No 1110/94/EC of 
the European Parliament and of the 
Council (8), a Fourth Framework 
Programme for actions in technological 
research, development and demonstration 
was established; whereas energy efficiency 
policy constitutes an important instrument 
for the use and promotion of the new 
energy technologies that the Framework 
Programme will establish; whereas the 
SAVE II programme represents a policy 
instrument which complements this 
programme; 
(12) Whereas the SAVE II programme aims at 
improving energy intensity of final 
consumption by a further one percentage 
point per annum over that which would 
have been otherwise attained; 
(7) OJ No C 255, 20. 9.1993, p. 252. 
(*) OJNo L 126, 18. 5.1994, p. 1. 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
13) Whereas at its meeting on 15 and 
16 December 1994 the Council stated that 
the target of stabilizing C02 emissions can 
only be achieved by a coordinated package 
of measures to improve energy efficiency 
and the rational use of energy which are 
based on supply and demand at all levels 
of energy production, conversion, transport 
and consumption and to exploit renewable 
energies, and that local energy 
management programmes are amongst 
these measures; 
(14) Whereas in its Opinion on the 
Commission's Green Paper on energy 
policy (9), the European Parliament called 
for the formulation of objectives and a 
common programme for energy efficiency 
and savings compatible with the objectives 
concerning the emissions of greenhouse 
gases as agreed in Rio de Janeiro (1992) 
and Berlin (1995), called for a SAVE II 
programme and requested that the 
Commission clarify the role which it 
intends to play in energy savings and 
efficiency by creating practical projects; 
(15) Whereas improved energy efficiency will 
have a positive impact on both the 
environment and the security of energy 
supplies which are global in nature; 
whereas a high level of international 
cooperation is needed to produce the most 
positive results; 13) Whereas at its meeting on 15 and 
16 December 1994 the Council stated that 
the target of stabilizing C02 emissions can 
only be achieved by a coordinated package 
of measures to improve energy efficiency 
and the rational use of energy which are 
based on supply and demand at all levels 
of energy production, conversion, transport 
and consumption and to exploit renewable 
energies, and that local energy 
management programmes are amongst 
these measures; 
(14) Whereas in its Opinion on the 
Commission's Green Paper on energy 
policy (9), the European Parliament called 
for the formulation of objectives and a 
common programme for energy efficiency 
and savings compatible with the objectives 
concerning the emissions of greenhouse 
gases as agreed in Rio de Janeiro (1992) 
and Berlin (1995), called for a SAVE II 
programme and requested that the 
Commission clarify the role which it 
intends to play in energy savings and 
efficiency by creating practical projects; 
(15) Whereas improved energy efficiency will 
have a positive impact on both the 
environment and the security of energy 
supplies which are global in nature; 
whereas a high level of international 
cooperation is needed to produce the most 
positive results; 
o OJNo C 287, 30.10.1995, p. 34. 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
(16) Whereas all the elements of the Community 
action programme for improving the 
efficiency of electricity use set out in 
Decision 89/364/EEC (,0) should be 
incorporated into the SAVE II programme; 
whereas therefore that Decision should be 
repealed; 
(17) Whereas between 180 and 200 MT of C02 
emissions could be avoided by the 
year 2000 by an improvement of 5% in the 
energy intensity of final demand additional 
to the conventional expectations; 
(18) Whereas the SAVE II programme is an 
important and necessary instrument for 
promoting increased energy efficiency; 
(19) Whereas in order to prevent duplication and 
to achieve synergy, care should be taken in 
implementing the programme to ensure 
close cooperation with other Community 
programmes linked directly with energy 
efficiency promotion; (16) Whereas all the elements of the 
Community action programme for 
improving the efficiency of electricity use 
set out in Decision 89/364/EEC (10) should 
be incorporated into the SAVE II 
programme; whereas therefore that 
Decision should be repealed; 
(17) Whereas between 180 and 200 MT of C02 
emissions could be avoided by the 
year 2000 by an improvement of 5% in the 
energy intensity of final demand additional 
to the conventional expectations; 
(18) Whereas a stengthened SAVE II 
programme is an important and necessary 
instrument for promoting increased energy 
efficiency; 
(19) Whereas in order to prevent duplication 
and to achieve synergy, care should be 
taken in implementing the programme to 
ensure close cooperation with other 
Community programmes linked directly 
with energy efficiency promotion, 
especially with regard to the dissemination 
of information 
(10) OJ No L 157, 9.6.1989, pp. 32-34. 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
(20) Whereas it is politically and economically 
desirable to open the SAVE II programme 
to the associated Central and Eastern 
European Countries in accordance with the 
conclusions of the European Council 
meeting in Copenhagen in June 1994 and 
as outlined in the Commission 
communication to the Council on the 
subject in May 1994, and to the associated 
Mediterranean Countries Cyprus and Malta; 
(21) Whereas, in order to ensure that 
Community aid is used efficiently, the 
Commission shall ensure that projects are 
subject to thorough prior appraisal and shall 
systematically monitor and evaluate the 
progress and results of supported projects; 
(22) Whereas a financial reference amount 
within the meaning of point 2 of the 
Declaration by the European Parliament, 
the Council and the Commission of 6 
March 1995 (n), is included in this decision 
for the entire duration of the programme, 
without thereby affecting the powers of the 
budgetary authority as they are defined by 
the Treaty; 
(23) Whereas, before the end of 1997, the 
financial reference amount for the 
remaining period of the programme should 
be reviewed, on the basis of a study carried 
out by the Commission on the coordination 
of all the relevant programmes in the 
energy sector; (20) Whereas it is politically and economically 
desirable to open the SAVE II programme 
to the associated Central and Eastern 
European Countries in accordance with the 
conclusions of the European Council 
meeting in Copenhagen in June 1994 and 
as outlined in the Commission 
communication to the Council on the 
subject in May 1994, and to the associated 
Mediterranean Countries Cyprus and Malta; 
(21) Whereas, in order to ensure that 
Community aid is used efficiently, the 
Commission shall ensure that projects are 
subject to thorough prior appraisal and 
shall systematically monitor and evaluate 
the progress and results of supported 
projects; 
(22) ( Deleted text) 
(23) ( Deleted text) 
(") OJNo C 293, 8.11.1995, p. 4. 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
1. The Community shall support a five-year 
programme for the preparation and 
implementation of measures and actions in a cost-
effective manner in order to promote energy 
efficiency within the Community. The general 
overall objectives of this programme are: 
a) to stimulate energy efficiency measures in 
all sectors; 
b) to encourage investments in energy 
conservation by private and public 
consumers and by industry; 
c) to create the conditions for improving the 
energy intensity of final consumption. 
2. Community financing will be given under the 
"SAVE II programme to promote energy 
efficiency in the Community" hereafter referred to 
as "the programme", for actions which fall within 
the objectives of this Decision. 
Article 2 
Under the programme, the following categories of 
actions and measures on energy efficiency shall 
be financed: HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
1. The Community shall support a five-year 
programme for the preparation and 
implementation of legislative and non legislative 
measures and actions in a cost-effective manner 
in order to promote energy efficiency within the 
Community. The general overall objectives of 
this programme are: 
a) to stimulate energy efficiency measures in 
all sectors of energy use and production; 
b) to encourage increased investments in 
energy conservation by private and public 
consumers and by industry; 
c) to create the conditions for improving the 
energy intensity of final consumption. 
2. Community financing will be given under the 
"SAVE II programme to promote energy 
efficiency in the Community" hereafter referred 
to as "the programme", for actions which fall 
within the objectives of this Decision. 
Article 2 
Under the programme, the following categories of 
actions and measures on energy efficiency which 
are described in detail in annex I of this decision 
shall be financed: 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
a) 
b) 
c) 
d) 
e) studies and other related actions aimed at 
the implementation and completion of 
Community measures (such as voluntary 
agreements, mandates to standardization 
bodies, cooperative procurements and 
legislation) taken to improve energy 
efficiency, studies concerning the effects of 
energy pricing on energy efficiency, and 
studies with a view to establishing energy 
efficiency as a criterion within Community 
programmes; 
sectoral targeted pilot actions aimed at 
accelerating energy efficiency investment 
and/or improving energy use patterns, to be 
carried out by organizations or public and 
private enterprises as well as by existing 
Community-wide networks or temporary 
groupings of organizations and/or 
enterprises formed to accomplish the 
projects; 
measures proposed by the Commission to 
foster the exchange of experience aimed at 
promoting better coordination between 
international, Community, national, regional 
and local activities by appropriate means 
for information dissemination; 
measures as under c) but proposed 
otherwise than by the Commission; 
monitoring of energy efficiency progress in 
the Community and in individual Member 
States and ongoing evaluation and 
monitoring of the actions and measures 
undertaken under the programme; a) studies and other related actions aimed at 
the implementation and completion of 
Community measures (such as voluntary 
agreements, mandates to standardization 
bodies, cooperative procurements and 
legislation) taken to improve energy 
efficiency; studies concerning the effects 
of energy pricing on energy efficiency,and 
studies and other actions in support of 
energy efficiency initiatives within other 
programmes, with a view to establishing 
energy efficiency as a criterion within 
Community strategic programmes taking 
account of the environmental impact; 
b) sectoral targeted pilot actions aimed at 
accelerating energy efficiency investment 
and/or improving energy use patterns, to be 
carried out by organizations or public and 
private enterprises as well as by existing 
Community-wide networks or temporary 
groupings of organizations and/or 
enterprises formed to accomplish the 
projects; 
c) measures proposed by the Commission to 
foster the exchange of experience, mainly 
through information networks, aimed at 
promoting better coordination between 
international, Community, national, regional 
and local activities through the 
establishment of appropriate means for 
exchanging information; 
d) measures as under c) but proposed 
otherwise than by the Commission; 
e) monitoring of energy efficiency progress in 
the Community and in individual Member 
States and ongoing evaluation and 
monitoring of the actions and measures 
undertaken under the programme; 
10 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
specific actions in favour of energy 
management at regional and urban level 
and in favour of greater cohesion between 
Member States and regions in the field of 
energy efficiency. 
Article 3 
1. All the costs relating to the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2 a), c) and e) 
shall be borne by the general budget of the 
European Communities. 
2. The level of funding for the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2 b), d) and f) 
shall be set at a maximum of 50% of their total 
cost. 
3. The balance of the funding of the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2 b), d) and f) 
may be made up from either public or private 
sources or from a combination of the two. 
Article 4 
1. The financial reference amount for the 
implementation of this programme shall be 
ECU 45 million. The annual appropriations shall 
be authorized by the budgetary authority within 
the limits of the financial perspectives. f) specific actions in favour of energy 
management at the regional and urban 
level;_specific actions in favour of greater 
cohesion between Member States and 
regions in the field of energy efficiency 
through support for the creation of energy 
efficiency infrastructures in those Member 
States and regions where energy efficiency 
policies are not vet sufficiently developed; 
Article 3 
1. All the costs relating to the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2 a), c) and e) 
shall be borne by the general budget of the 
European Communities. 
2. The level of funding for the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2 b), d) and f) 
shall be set at a maximum of 50% of their total 
cost. 
3. The balance of the funding of the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2 b), d) and f) 
may be made up from either public or private 
sources or from a combination of the two. 
Article 4 
1. (Deleted text) 
11 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
2. Before the end of 1997, the Council, in 
accordance with the relevant provisions of the 
Treaty, shall review the financial reference 
amount for the remaining period of the 
programme, on the basis of a communication and, 
if appropriate, proposals from the Commission 
taking into account all the relevant programmes in 
the energy sector. 
Article 5 
1. The Commission will be responsible for the 
financial execution and implementation of the 
programme. The Commission will also ensure 
that actions under this programme are subject to 
prior appraisal, monitoring and subsequent 
evaluation, which, on completion of the project, 
shall include assessment of impact, 
implementation and whether their original 
objectives have been achieved. 
2. The selected beneficiaries shall submit a 
report to the Commission on a six-month basis 
and on completion. 
3. The conditions and guidelines to be applied 
for the support of all actions and measures 
referred to in Article 2 shall be defined each year 
taking into account: 
- the cost effectiveness criteria, the savings 
potential and environmental impact, in 
particular the reduction of C02 emissions; 
the list of priorities referred to in Article 7; 2. (Deleted text) 
Article 5 
1. The Commission will be responsible for the 
financial execution and implementation of the 
programme. The Commission will also ensure 
that actions under this programme are subject to 
prior appraisal, monitoring and subsequent 
evaluation, which, on completion of the project, 
shall include assessment of impact, 
implementation and whether their original 
objectives have been achieved. 
2. The selected beneficiaries shall submit a 
report to the Commission on a six-month basis 
and on completion. 
3. The conditions and guidelines to be applied 
for the support of all actions and measures 
referred to in Article 2 shall be defined each year 
in accordance with: 
- the cost effectiveness criteria, the energy 
savings potential and/or environmental 
impact up to the year 2000 and beyond, in 
particular the reduction of C02 emissions; 
the list of priorities referred to in Article 7; 
12 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
the cohesion of Member States in the field 
of energy efficiency. 
The Committee referred to in Article 6(2) will 
assist the Commission in defining these 
conditions and guidelines. 
Article 6 
1. In cases where the amount involved does not 
exceed ECU 100 000, the following shall apply: 
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee 
of an advisory nature composed of the 
representatives of the Member States and chaired 
by the representative of the Commission. 
The representative of the Commission shall 
submit to the committee a draft of the measures 
to be taken. The committee shall deliver its 
opinion on the draft, within a time limit which 
the chairman may lay down according to the 
urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a 
vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in 
addition, each Member State shall have the right 
to ask to have its position recorded in the 
minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost account of 
the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall 
inform the committee of the manner in which its 
opinion has been taken into account. the cohesion of Member States in the field 
of energy efficiency, taking into account 
the trends in energy efficiency in the 
Community identified by the action 
described in Art 2 e. 
The Committee referred to in Article_6 will assist 
the Commission in defining these conditions and 
guidelines. 
Article 6 
1 ( Deleted text) 
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee 
of an advisory nature composed of the 
representatives of the Member States and chaired 
by the representative of the Commission 
The representative of the Commission shall 
submit to the committee a draft of the measures 
to be taken. The committee shall deliver its 
opinion on the draft, within a time limit which 
the chairman may lay down according to the 
urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a 
vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in 
addition, each Member State shall have the right 
to ask to have its position recorded in the 
minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost account of 
the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall 
inform the committee of the manner in which its 
opinion has been taken into account. 
13 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
2. In cases where the amount involved exceeds 
ECU 100 000, the following shall apply: 
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee 
composed of the representatives of the Member 
States and chaired by the representative of the 
Commission. 
The representative of the Commission shall 
submit to the committee a draft of the measures 
to be taken. The committee shall deliver its 
opinion on the draft within a time limit which the 
chairman may lay down according to the urgency 
of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by 
the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the 
Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council 
is required to adopt on a proposal from the 
Commission. The votes of the representatives of 
the Member States within the committee shall be 
weighted in the manner set out in that Article. 
The chairman shall not vote. 
The Commission shall adopt measures which 
shall apply immediately. However, if these 
measures are not in accordance with the opinion 
of the committee, they shall be communicated by 
the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that 
event: 
- the Commission may defer application of 
the measures which it has decided for a period of 
not more than one month from the date of such 
communication; 
the Council, acting by a qualified majority, 
may take a different decision within the time limit 
referred to in the previous indent. 2.( Deleted text) 
14 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
Article 7 
The Commission shall formulate, on an annual 
basis, a list of priorities for funding under the 
programme. This list shall take into account the 
complementarity between the SAVE II 
programme and the national programmes on the 
basis of annual information in a summary form 
supplied by each Member State. A priority shall 
be given to those areas where such 
complementarity is greatest. 
The Committee referred to in Article 6(2) will 
assist the Commission in defining the list of 
priorities. 
Article 8 
1. After every year of the programme, the 
Commission shall present to the European 
Parliament and to the Council a progress report 
together with proposals concerning modifications 
of guidelines, defined according to Article 5(3), 
which could be necessary in the light of the 
results of the previous year. 
2. After the third year of the programme, the 
Commission shall present a report to the 
European Parliament and to the Council on the 
energy efficiency measures undertaken at 
Community and Member State level and on the 
results achieved, with particular reference to the 
objectives outlined under Article 1. The report 
shall be accompanied by proposals for any 
amendments which may be necessary to the 
programme in the light of these results. Article 7 
The Member States shall report to the 
Commission annually on national energy 
efficiency programmes with a view to assisting 
the Commission in formulating appropriate 
flanking measures. 
The Commission shall formulate on an annual 
basis a list of priorities for funding under the 
programme which shall reflect an examination of 
the reports submitted under the first paragraph. 
This list shall take into account the 
complementarity between the SAVE II 
programme and the national programme. 
The Committee referred to in Article 6 will assist 
the Commission in defining the list of priorities. 
Article 8 
1. After every year of the programme, the 
Commission shall present to the European 
Parliament and to the Council a progress report 
together with proposals concerning modifications 
of guidelines, defined according to Article 5(3), 
which could be necessary in the light of the 
results of the previous year. 
2. After the third year of the programme, the 
Commission shall present a report to the 
European Parliament and to the Council on the 
energy efficiency measures undertaken at 
Community and Member State level and on the 
results achieved, with particular reference to the 
objectives outlined under Article 1. The report 
shall be accompanied by proposals for any 
amendments which may be necessary to the 
programme in the light of these results. 
15 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
3. On expiry of the programme, the Commission 
shall make an overall assessment of the results 
obtained through the application of this Decision, 
and of the consistency of national and 
Community actions. It shall present a report 
thereon to the European Parliament, the Council, 
the Economic and Social Committee and the 
Committee of the Regions, stating, in particular, 
how far the objective outlined under Article 1 has 
been achieved. 
Article 9 
Decision 89/364/EEC is hereby repealed. 
Article 10 
The programme shall be open to the participation 
of associated Central and Eastern European 
countries in accordance with the conditions, 
including financial arrangements, agreed to in the 
Additional Protocols to the Association 
Agreements, concerning participation in 
Community programmes. This programme shall 
be open to the participation of Cyprus and Malta 
on the basis of additional appropriations in 
accordance with the same rules as apply to the 
EFTA countries following procedures to be 
agreed with the countries in question. 3. On expiry of the programme, the Commission 
shall make an overall assessment of the results 
obtained through the application of this Decision, 
and of the consistency of national and 
Community actions. It shall present a report 
thereon to the European Parliament, the Council, 
the Economic and Social Committee and the 
Committee of the Regions, stating, in particular, 
how far the objective outlined under Article 1 has 
been achieved. 
Article 9 
Decision 89/364/EEC is hereby repealed. 
Article 10 
The programme shall be open to the participation 
of associated Central and Eastern European 
countries in accordance with the conditions, 
including financial arrangements, agreed to in the 
Additional Protocols to the Association 
Agreements, concerning participation in 
Community programmes. This programme shall 
be open to the participation of Cyprus and Malta 
on the basis of additional appropriations in 
accordance with the same rules as apply to the 
EFTA countries following procedures to be 
agreed with the countries in question. 
16 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL REEXAMINED PROPOSAL 
Article 11 
This Decision shall apply from 1 January 1996 
to 31 December 2000. 
Article 12 
This Decision is addressed to the Member 
States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
The President Article 11 
This Decision shall apply from 1 January 1996 
to 31 December 2000. 
Article 12 
This Decision is addressed to the Member 
States. 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
The President 
17 
Annex I 
Illustrative, non-limitative list of actions to 
be taken under the SAVE II programme 
a. Studies and other actions leading to 
the implementation and completion of 
Community energy efficiency 
measures 
Among the actions to be taken will be: 
studies on the evaluation of the impact 
of energy legislation and of various 
energy efficiency measures, 
mandates to CEN/CENELEC regarding 
performance and measurement standards 
for energy using appliances. 
studies to develop voluntary 
agreements and monitor their results, 
participation in international co­
ordinated activities. e.g. IEA 
Implementing Agreements-
Studies and other actions in support 
of energy efficiency initiatives within 
other programmes 
SAVE will also act as a catalyst for 
other Community programmes such as 
the Regional Fund (CSF) in identifying 
high potential energy efficiency projects 
which could be supported by these 
programmes. 
18 
b. Sectoral pilot actions aimed at 
accelerating energy efficiency 
investment and/or improving 
consumer energy use patterns. 
These actions will be decided on an ad-
hoc basis and will represent a high 
potential for improving energy use 
across the Community through 
increased cooperation of operators in 
different Member States. Among the 
operators who might be involved in this 
activity are: 
groupings of building associations, 
groupings of electricity and/or gas 
distribution companies (IRP/DSM) 
groupings of city authorities (projects 
on energy efficiency in urban traffic) 
groupings of associations with interest 
in specific sectors (SMEs. industrial 
associations, etc.) 
ç. Measures proposed by the 
Commission to foster the exchange of 
experience, mainly through 
information networks. 
Essentially Commission initiatives for 
promoting energy efficiency to targeted 
audiences and to the general consumer 
by all the media mechanisms and will 
include. 
19 
publications, videos, workshops on 
specific topics. conferences and 
seminars, databases. 
d. Measures as in c but proposed 
otherwise than by the Commission 
Leveraging the efforts of others by 
providing a Community dimension to 
locally or internationally organised 
energy efficiency promotional efforts. In 
general, the actions to be supported in 
part by the Community will be: 
publications, videos, workshops on 
specific topics. conferences and 
seminars, databases. 
e. Monitoring of energy efficiency 
progress in the European 
Community, in individual Member 
States and in the SAVE programme 
itself. 
Establishment of an Expert Group from 
the Member States which will use tools 
developed under SAVE I to monitor 
and evaluate energy efficiency progress. 
It is important that all the actions taken 
under SAVE should be fully evaluated 
and that the contribution of each action 
to the improvement of energy efficiency 
20 
should be continually assessed. Project 
with a high dissemination potential 
should be identified and transmitted to 
the promotional activities of the 
programme so that comprehensive 
dissemination strategies can be 
developed. 
L Specific actions in favour of energy 
management at the regional and 
urban level. 
Actions in this area would be 
complementary to those listed above 
and shall be focused on the setting up 
of regional and local energy 
management agencies. Thev might 
include flanking supports such as: 
the creation of energy end-use 
education programmes, 
development of local energy 
management initiatives, 
carrying out of targeted projects with a 
high dissemination potential. 
The focus of this action is on regional 
and local authorities and is oriented 
towards altering the energy habits of all 
classes of consumers. 
21 
Specific actions in favour of greater 
cohesion between Member States and 
regions in the field of energy 
efficiency through support for the 
creation of energy efficiency 
infrastructures in those Member 
States and regions where energy 
efficiency policies are not vet 
sufficiently developed 
The purpose of this action will be to 
harness the experience of the Member 
States to create the greatest level of 
alignment of regional or local capacity. 
Actions in this area might be: 
the setting up of linkages between 
different Member States or regions of 
different Member States with a view to 
the exchange of information, 
the creation of the necessary 
information sources. including 
databases, to allow those responsible for 
public policy to access information on 
effective local initiatives, 
assistance in setting up. perhaps within 
existing educational establishments, 
regional centres of excellence which 
will act as focal points for local energy 
management research and training 
activities and which will have the 
expertise to contribute to the 
development of regional energy 
resource solutions. 
22 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 640 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 12 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-640-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-12998-4 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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