COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0MC90) 368 final - SYN 294 
Brussels, 29 October 1990 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
concerning the efficiency requirements for new, hot water 
boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels 
(presented by the Commission) 
- 2 -
CONTENTS 
Page 
Summary 3 
Exp Ianatory memorandum 4 
Introduction 4 
Field of appl I cat Ion 7 
Minimum performance levels to be met 8 
Quality label 10 
Performance control T1 
ResuIts expected 12 
Graphs '. 14 
Proposal for a Council Directive 15 
- 3 -
SUMMARY 
This Directive refers only to new, hot-water boilers fired with liquid 
or gaseous fuels which are used mainly for space heating and/or the 
production of hot water and have a rated output of between 10 kW and 
400 kW. 
The efficiency requirements of these devices differ considerably from 
one Member State to another. 
As things currently stand, with the establishment of the internal 
market boilers (including less efficient ones) approved In one 
Member State would enjoy free movement throughout the Community. This 
could lead to a drop In the average efficiency of hot-water heating 
systems within the Community. 
To take advantage of the internal market without compromising the 
objectives of rational use of energy, the efficiency requirements of 
hot-water boilers must be harmonized at a high level within the 
possibilities of technologies currently available. 
In this way not only will a drop in the performance of this equipment 
be avoided, there will also be an increase in the performance levels in 
some Member States, with the double-edged benefit of a marked reduction 
in energy consumption and less air pollution. 
- 4 -
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Introduction 
Energy Intensity In the Community, I.e. the ratio of final energy 
consumption to the gross domestic product, improved by 20% between 1973 
and 1982. 
This was made possible by the combination of a series of factors which 
include: 
the direct effect of prices; 
the psychological impact of the various oils crises; 
scientific and technical progress in general; 
the development of the general economic structure In the Community, 
which Is marked by a growing trend towards services and the 
development In the secondary sector of activities with low energy 
consumption; 
the adoption of numerous legislative or regulatory measures, 
binding or by way of Incentive, both at Community level and at 
Member State or local authority level; 
the mobilization of substantial funds to set up: 
* structures promoting the rational use of energy, 
* Information and incentive campaigns, 
* training courses for energy managers, and 
* encouragement of Investment in the rational use of energy. 
- 5 -
An Improvement of at least 20% In the efficiency of final energy demand 
was adopted as an objective in the Council Resolution of 
16 September 1986 on new Community energy policy objectives for 1995 
and the convergence of the policies of the Member States.1 However, 
the drop In the price of petroleum products since the end of 1985, the 
abundance of all forms of energy combined with three particularly mild 
winters and the improvement in the general economic situation have led 
to a considerable slackening of efforts to Improve energy efficiency 
and are reflected In particular by a substantial reduction In funds 
allocated to rational use of energy projects. 
Recent developments confirm this stagnation In energy efficiency and It 
now seems certain that unless a series- of concrete measures are taken 
Immediately, the objective of a 20% reduction In energy intensity by 
1995 will not be achieved. 
In this respect the building sector (residential and commercial) 
warrants special attention. Not only Is it the prime consumer of 
energy sector, absorbing more than 41% of the final consumption of 
energy In the Community, i.e. some 289 million toe In 1987, It is also 
an expanding sector with the forecasts for 1995 reaching 310 and 
perhaps even 340 million toe. 
The Improved general economic situation has led to an Increase In the 
number of new buildings both In the residential and commercial sectors 
and to more widespread comfort and, In particular, central heating. 
In this sector a sizeable proportion of the Improvement In energy 
efficiency has come from the behaviour of individuals trying to save 
energy. Démotivât Ion In this area Is clearly visible, as Is borne out 
by the indexes measuring energy consumption as a function of the 
outside temperature. Experience has shown that these behaviour 
patterns are readily reversible, and it is thus Important to 
consolidate the results obtained by measures that have lasting effects. 
1 0J C 241, 25.9.1986, p. 1. 
- 6 -
One of these measures has already been covered, on two occasions, by a 
Community regulation. These Involve two Directives (78/170/EEC and 
82/885/EEC)2 on " the performance of heat generators for space heating 
and the production of hot water In new or existing non-Industrial 
buildings and on the insulation of heat and domestic hot-water 
distribution in new non-lndustrial buildings". In the former, 
Member States had to ensure that equipment that could be subject to 
Inspection at the manufacturing stage compiled with minimum performance 
levels. The latter laid down that these requirements had to be 
"economically Justifiable" and extended the scope to the Inspection of 
performance levels at the time of installation of the equipment. 
The term "economically Justifiable" has been subject to extremely 
varied interpretation by the Member States and transposition of these 
Directives into national regulations has resulted in equally differing 
requirements, as is shown by the attached graphs. These figures 
compare the performance requirements adopted In the various 
Member States.3 They highlight both qualitative and quantitative 
differences: 
qualitative: some Member States base the measurement of 
performance on the useful heat supplied to the heat distribution 
network, which can only be measured In the laboratory; other 
Member States only take account of heat losses resulting from the 
discharge of hot gases at the stack. A measurement of this kind 
can be taken at the time of Installation and during operation; 
quantitative: performance requirements vary between 74 and 90% at 
rated output. 
The fairly low minimum performance levels adopted by certain 
Member states lag behind the current state of the art In this field and 
lead to Inefficient use of energy. In these Member states, "economic 
Justification" has probably been assessed only over the short term and 
only from the mlcroeconomic viewpoint, I.e. taking account only of 
Impact on the sales price of the apparatus and not the heating 
operation cost and social costs (pollution). 
2 Council Directive 78/170/EEC of 13 Feburary 1978 (OJ L 52, 23.2.1978, 
p. 32). 
Councl I Direct ive 82/885/EEC of 10 December 1982 (OJ L 378,31.12.1982, 
p. 19). 
3 BAT Report 01/88: "Performance of heat generators In buildings. 
Comparison of requirements In Community Member States". 
- 7 -
With the completion of the Internal market, less efficient equipment 
could gain access to markets which are presently closed by national 
measures laying down higher minimum performance levels. The result 
would be a drop in energy efficiency in the Community. 
There is, therefore, a need to introduce a regulation at Community 
level laying down minimum quantified performance levels to be achieved 
by new hot-water boilers placed on the market after 1 January 1993. 
Field of application 
The products referred to by the two Directives 78/170/EEC and 
82/885/EEC were heat generators for space heating and the production of 
hot water in new or existing non-industrla I buildings. 
The present Directive concerns only hot-water boilers fired with liquid 
or gaseous fuels with a rated output equal to or greater than 10 KW and 
less than 400 KW, which covers the vast majority of boilers used to 
heat bulIdlngs. 
The term "boilers" covers burner/heat Ing body units. Burners and 
heating bodies of different origins may be combined to form a boiler. 
The performance of the latter will depend on the suitability of one 
element for the other. 
Hot-water boilers fired with solid fuels are excluded from this 
DirectIve because: 
the variability of the fuels used (ash and volatile matter content 
of coal, moisture content and calorific value of the wood, etc.) 
makes It extremely difficult to optimize the boiler for all types 
of use. Laying down a minimum performance level to guarantee high 
levels of performance for this type of boiler Is a complex affair; 
the demand for centra I-heatIng boilers fired with solid fuels Is 
low (1 to 5% In most Member States, less than 10% in the 
United Kingdom) and Is In constant decline by 1 to 2% per year. 
- 8 -
The following apparatus and equipment are also excluded from the field 
of application of this directive: 
steam boilers 
electric bollers 
condensation boilers, I.e. boilers with condensation of water 
vapour contained In the fumes 
heat pumps 
hot-air generators 
equipment for instantaneous preparation of sanitary hot water 
boilers designed to be fired using fuels whose properties differ 
appreciably from those of widely marketed liquid and gaseous fuels 
(Industrial waste gas, blogas, etc.) 
furnaces for localized heating. 
The reasons for these exclusions are varied and technical. Thus, the 
levels of performance that can be obtained are either largely superior 
or largely Inferior and they are assessed according to various methods. 
Taken overall, final energy consumption In liquid or gaseous form In 
the building sector was 204 mtoe in 1987 and should reach 219 mtoe In 
1995. The proportionate share of this final energy which is used in 
hot water central heating boilers Is put at 65%. 
Minimum performance levels to be met 
Useful efficiency means the quantity of heat transferred to the water 
circulating In the boiler In respect of the quantity of energy Injected 
into the burner, expressed as the net calorific value of the fuel. 
This efficiency takes account of pilot light consumption for gas 
boilers fitted with them, but not the consumption of electricity of 
burners, circulation pumps, ventilators, control, etc. 
The higher the output levels of boilers the easier it Is to obtain high 
useful efficiency levels. 
- 9 -
Thus, at their nominal output Pn (expressed in kW) and In continuous 
operation at an average temperature of the water In the boiler, (I.e. 
the average water temperature between the entry and exit of the boiler) 
of 70*C, efficiency levels should reach at least a value expressed by 
the following empirical formula: 
(84 + 2 log Pn) % 
or, by way of example, the following minimum values as a function of 
the rated output: 
86% for boilers of 10 kW 
87% for boilers of 31.6 kW 
88% for boilers of 100 kW 
89% for boilers of 316 kW 
For reasons of operational safety, small gas boilers (10 to 31.6 kW) 
fitted with natural draught burners may show slightly lower performance 
levels. Useful efficiency should nonetheless reach values equal to or 
greater than 
(81 + 4 log Pn) % 
or, by way of example, the following minimum values as a function of 
the rated output: 
85% for bol 1ers of 10 kW 
86% for boilers of 17,8 kW 
87% for boilers of 31.6 kW 
Any heating system is sized to cover at least the requirements of the 
coldest days. They thus operate for most of the time at a reduced 
load. Consequently, It Is Important also to maintain good performance 
levels at part load. 
This condition Is met If at 30% load and average water temperatures in 
the boilers of 50'C or more, (according to the regulation devices with 
which the boiler Is originally fitted), the minimum useful efficiency 
levéIs are equal to or greater than 
(80 + 3 log Pn) % 
I.e., In practice, for boilers with the following rated outputs part 
load efficiency levels of: 
83% for a rated output of 10 kW 
84.5% for a rated output of 31.6 kW 
86% for a rated output of 100 kW 
87.5% for a rated output of 316 kW 
- 10 -
The relatively low temperature (50'C) of the water in the boiler Is 
justified by the fact that some types of boiler are designed to supply 
in the between season period - when the boiler only operates at part 
load - the heating distribution network with less hot water than in 
m Id-winter. 
For the same reasons of security set out above, small gas boilers (10 
to 31.6 kW) fitted with natural draught burners may show slightly lower 
performance levels. Nonetheless, the efficiency levels at 30% part 
load should remain equal to or greater than 
(77 + 5 log Pn) % 
or, by way of example, for boilers with the following rated outputs 
part load efficiency levels of at least 
82% for a rated output of 10 kW 
83% for a rated output of 15,9 kW 
84% for a rated output of 25,1 kW 
84.5% for a rated output of 31.6 kW 
These figures are high but realistic. Requirements higher than these 
values, for example, are already the subject of voluntary labels 
attributed to more than 100 boiler units not only from various 
Member States but also from a number of EFTA countries (graph 4A). 
Quality label 
With the dual aim of maintaining healthy emulation between 
manufacturers In future and arousing the consumer's interest In high 
performance equipment, boilers may, if they largely exceed the 
requirements set out above, have quality labels attributed by way of an 
"*" per efficiency point above the two nominal and part-load 
requirements. 
Accordingly, a star can be attributed to boilers as long as they meet 
the following two requirements: 
nominal load efficiency > (85 + 2 log Pn)X 
30% part-load efficiency > (81 + 3 log Pn)%. 
- 11 -
By way of example, for a label "*" the following minimum efficiency 
levels must be obtained for nominal load and part-load respectively: 
87% and 84% for an output of 10 kW 
88% and 85.5% for an output of 31.6 kW 
89% and 87% for an output of 100 kW 
90% and 88.5% for an output of 316 kW. 
For small gas boilers with natural draught burners a label "*" can be 
given as long as the minimum efficiency levels meet the following 
requirements: 
nominal load efficiency > (82 + 4 log Pn)* 
30% part-load efficiency > (78 + 5 log Pn)% 
or, by way of example, minimum efficiency levels of 
86% at nominal load and 83% at part-load, for a 10 kW boiler 
Labels with several "***" can be given to boilers where the efficiency 
at nominal load and. part-load exceeds by several points the minimum 
efficiency levels laid down above. 
Performance contro 
Since the equipment in question is generally produced In batches and 
the important thing Is to check the useful efficiency, controls must be 
carried out on measuring benches before the equipment is placed on the 
market. 
Although important, control of chimney losses only Is not sufficient to 
take account of performance levels at rated output and at reduced load. 
It is important to check the efficiency levels of burner-heat exchanger 
units since performance levels are directly connected with a suitable 
combination of these two Items. It Is therefore necessary to state for 
each type of boiler the burners with which it can be fitted to meet the 
required performance levels. Similarly, for each type of burner It 
will be necessary to indicate which boilers are suited to meet 
performance requirements. 
- 12 -
Results expected from the application of this Directive 
The life of central heating boilers Is of the order of 15 to 20 years. 
Only after the renewal of existing boilers will the application of this 
Directive have Its full effect. 
These effects will be felt above all in the areas of the internal 
market, the rational use of energy, the environment and micro and 
macroeconomIcs. 
nternal market 
Harmonization of boiler efficiency at a high level will standardize 
production and permit economies of scale In mass production. The 
alternative would risk a drop of efficiency to a lower level with a 
consequent marked Increase in energy consumption. 
Rational use of energy 
A study4 carried out for the Commission puts the potential reduction 
In the consumption of liquid and gaseous fuels In hot water boilers at 
between 5.3 and 7.2%, depending on whether account Is taken only of the 
direct saving from Increasing boiler efficiency at nominal load or 
whether account Is also taken of the better seasonal efficiency 
resulting from Improved boiler insulation. Taking the 1985 figures as 
a basis, the reduction In energy consumption would be between 6.4 and 
8.7 mtoe/year, I.e. about 1% of final energy consumption for the 
Community as a whole and 2.5% of final energy consumption In the 
building sector. Towards the year 2010,5 when this Directive will 
have Its full effect, energy saving will reach 7.6 to 10.3 mtoe/year. 
Taking account of developments In this sector (Increase In the number 
of buildings, more widespread central heating, greater comfort), real 
savings could be even higher. 
4 BAT Report 01/89 "Effects of Improved heat generator performance on 
the consumption of liquid and gaseous fuels". 
5 Commission study: Major themes In energy, Scenario 1. 
- 13 -
Environment 
Lower consumption of energy will automatically mean less C02 
emissions. Thus, in a situation as set out In Scenario I of the 
Commission 2010 study,5 emission reduction would be between 19 and 
26 million tonnes of C02 a year. Similarly, a reduction In S02 
emission from the use of liquid fuels of some 16 to 21 kt a year can be 
anticipated If the current properties of liquid fuels are maintained. 
NOv emission will be reduced by some 15 to 21 kt a year. 
Microeconomics 
Mass production of high performance boilers does not cost appreciably 
more than the manufacture of conventional boilers. Modern technology 
allows better performance exchangers to be produced with less in the 
way of raw materials. Manufacture of larger batches reduces the cost. 
For the consumer a slight additional Investment - should there be one -
would soon be offset by the fuel savings made. 
This payback time will be further shortened by the fact that better 
Insulation and the requirement of high performance at part load will 
improve seasonal efficiency and reduce the negative effect of 
overdlmensloning of boilers. This overdlmensloning comes from the 
desire for a high level of comfort. Most central heating systems keep 
the boiler on for the entire heating season and cause energy losses 
even when there is no demand for heat from the heating system. The 
larger the boiler the more significant these losses are; the more the 
boiler Is overdlmensloned the longer the down times. 
Although Justified at the outset, this overdlmensloning is very often 
out of all proportion. In this respect proper Information would enable 
the consumer to reduce at once both investment costs by purchasing a 
smaller system and operating costs by way of better seasonal efficiency 
levels. Some Member States have in fact taken measures to restrict 
this overdlmensloning. 
Macroeconomics 
The saving In fossil fuels from this Directive will not only be 
reflected in reduced energy dependence on the part of the Community, It 
will also have a beneficial effect on the balance of payments. This 
effect, which will be a function of the price of a barrel of oil, can 
be estimated at around Mlo ECU 1 200 to 1 500 per year at the current 
rate of exchange. 
- 14 -
ANNEX 
Graphs 
comparing minimum efficiency requirements and 
standards In the Member States for 
hot-water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels 
1. Gaseous fuels with natural draught burners 
1 A: Efficiency In water, measured in the laboratory 
1 B: Efficiency based on chimney losses and measured on-site 
2. Gaseous fuels with fan burners 
2 A: Efficiency In water, measured in the laboratory 
2 B: Efficiency based on chimney losses and measured on-site 
3. Liquid fuels 
3 A: Efficiency In water, measured In the laboratory 
3 B: Efficiency based on chimney losses and measured on-site 
4. Labels 
4 A: Existing labels 
4 B: Proposal for EC quality labels 
Abbreviations 
Regulations Standards established by the 
standardization institutions 
Present Directive EEC 
European Committee for 
Standardization (CEN) EN 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Nether lands 
Portugal 
United Kingdom & 
UK 
P. 
GK 
£ 
£ 
lflL 
1 
L 
UL 
E 
UK NBN 
DS 
DIN 
ELOT 
UNE 
NF 
IS 
UNI 
NEN-gaz 
NP 
BS GIVEG 
The Initials underlined Indicate obligatory national 
not underlined, reference standards. standards; those 
- 14a -
HOT WATER BOILERS FOR CENTRAL HEATING 
GAS BOILERS WITH NATURAL DRAUGHT BURNERS 
DIN 
Hf/EG 
GRAPH 1A 1000 
» USEFUL EFFICIENCY IN WATER OUTPUT OF THE BOILER 
TAKING ACCOUNT OF ALL LOSSES 
93 
92 
91 
90 
09 
00 
07 
06 
05 
04 
03 
02 
01 
00 
79 
70 
77 
76 
75 
74 
73 % HOT WATER BOILERS FOR CENTRAL HEATING 
GAS BOILERS WITH NATURAL DRAUGHT BURNERS 
-ITUNI-T 
F ! 
10 
ON «m muwmiiMKKr or RmciKNuv 
TMINO ACCOUNT Of CHIUNCV UMMM OH1.Y 100 
kW 
• UMtrVl nVHHHCY IN «ATM OUTPUT Of TM «OHM 
TAWNO «MOUNT Of All. IMKI 1000 
UMI'll I» 
- 14b -
HOT WATER BOILERS FOR CENTRAL HEATING 
GAS BOILERS WITH FAN BURNERS 
> uctrui crnacMcr w WATER OUTPUT or THE BOUXR 
TAKING ACCOUNT Of AIL LOSSES 1000 
GRAPH 2A 
93 
92 -
91 -
90 -
09 -
00 --
07 -
06 
05 
04 
03 h 
02 
01 
00 
79 
70 
77 
76 
75 
74 
73 HOT WATER BOILERS FOR CENTRAL HEATING 
GAS BOILERS WITH FAN BURNERS 
10 
• ON Sni NKA*UKEMENr Or BrrKIENCY 
TAKINO ACCOUNT Of CHIMNEY IAMM ONI.Y 100 
kW 
« vstm BrnacHcv m VATW OUTPUT or nac MMUO 
TAHNO ACCOUNT Or All LOMM 1000 
£M11LÎ11 
- 14c -
HOT WATER BOILERS FOR CENTRAL HEATING 
LIQUID FUEL BOILERS 
kW 
• USEFUL ETIICIENCY IN WATER OUTPUT or THE BOILER 
TAUNO ACCOUNT or ALL LOSSES 1000 
GRAPH 3A 
HOT WATER BOILERS FOR CENTRAL HEATING 
LIQUID FUEL BOILERS 
ad 
05 
04 
03 
02 
01 
00 
79 
70 
77 
76 
75 
74 
73 I:UNI 
10 100 
kW 
' ON smt MEASUREMENT 
TAUNS ACCOUNT Or OOMNCY LOSSES ONLY > USETUL tmCIENCr M WATER 
TAHN6 ACCOUNT OT ALL LOSSES OUTPUT OT THE BOILER 1000 
CRAPH 3B 
- 14d -
% 
93 
92 
91 h 
90 
09 
00 
07 
06 
05 
84 
83 
02 
01 
00 
79 
70 
77 
76 
75 
74 
73 
10 
- USETUL UtKMXCt M WATS» OUTPUT Or THE BOUXR 
TAKING ACCOUNT OP AU LOSSES HOT WATER BOILERS FOR CENTRAL HEATING 
EXISTING LABELS 
BLAJ 
a 
BLAUER ] 
Muum 
1— 
- ---[EB_E* 
«UB run) 
*=—~~ 
NGEL 
iitlNÂfô* 
t..mmmm .GEL 
IP) 
L (5) 
— __ 
...._.. — 
•— _ 
_.. 
.... -
... BIAl 
f^^OEJI*fi 
_ P.R„QPJ0Sn 
--• 1ER E* GEL 
Z (B) 
ION CJ 
— •— —-r 
:E 
'I'Z (D) (OA« tonus nr 
WNHIM 
— ._.. 
.... 1 
-• 
100 
kW 1000 
GRAPH < A 
HOT WATER BOILERS FOR CENTRAL HEATING 
PROPOSAL FOR QUALITY LABELS 
1000 
MNCRAL REQUIREMENT 
WENT PO* SMALL OAS 
WITH NATURAL DRAUOHT 
- 15 -
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
concerning the efficiency requirements for new, hot water 
boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic 
Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,<1> 
In cooperation with the European Pari lament,<2) 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,(3> 
Whereas it Is important to promote measures aimed at the progressive 
establishment of the internal market in the period up to 
31 December 1992; whereas the internal market encompasses a space 
without frontiers, in which the free circulation of goods, persons, 
services and capital Is assured; 
Whereas the Council Resolution of 15 January 1985 on the improvement of 
energy-saving programmes in the Member States(4), Invites Member 
States to pursue and where necessary Increase their efforts to promote 
the more rational use of energy by the further development of 
integrated energy-saving policies; 
Whereas the Council Resolution of 16 September 1986(5) concerns new 
Community energy policy objectives for 1995 and convergence of the 
policies of the Member States, and in particular the objective to 
Improve the efficiency of final energy demand by at least 20%; 
Whereas Article 130r of the Treaty on the environment calls for 
prudent and rational utilization of natural resources; 
Whereas it is appropriate to take as a base a high level of protection 
in proposals for the approximation of the provisions laid down by law, 
regulation or administrative action in Member States and concerning 
health, safety, environmental protection and consumer protection; 
(1) OJ No C 
(2) OJ No C 
(3) OJ No C 
(4) OJ No C 20, 22.1.1985, p. 1. 
(5) OJ No C 241, 25.9.1986, p. 1. 
- 16 -
Whereas the Council Resolution of 21 June 1989<6) declares "that the 
Community should take proper account of potential climatic change 
linked to the greenhouse effect"; 
Whereas Council Directive / /EEC(7) of 29 June 1990 concerns the 
approximation of national legislation on gas appliances; 
Whereas the importance of the domestic and tertiary sector, which 
absorbs a major proportion of the final consumption of energy In the 
Community, is considerable; 
Whereas this sector will become even more Important through trends 
towards more central heating and a general Increase in comfort; 
Whereas better boiler efficiency is in the consumer's Interest; 
whereas energy saving will be reflected by fewer imports of 
hydrocarbons; whereas a drop In the Community's energy dependence will 
have a positive Impact on Its trade balance; 
Whereas Council Directive 78/170/EEC of 13 February 1978 on the 
performance of heat generators for space heating and the production of 
hot water in new or existing non-industrial buildings and on the 
insulation of heat and domestic hot-water distribution in new 
non-Industrial buildings^8*, as amended by Directive 82/885/EEC^9^, 
has given rise to the establishment of substantially different 
efficiency levels between one Member State and another; 
Whereas the Member States which have only stipulated low efficiency 
requirements have not "elaborated efficient standards of performance 
and operation for heating systems and boilers", contrary to the 
provision In the Council Resolution of 15 January 1985 on the 
improvements of energy-saving programmes in the Member States-, 
Whereas the requirement of high efficiency for hot-water boilers will 
reduce the range of technical properties of equipment placed on the 
market, thus facilitating mass production and making for economies of 
scale; whereas the absence of a measure laying down minimum energy 
requirements at a sufficiently high level may result, with the 
completion of the Internal market, in a significant drop In the 
efficiency levels of heating installations through the spread on the 
market of low-efficiency boilers, 
(6) OJ No C 183, 20.7.1989, p. 4. 
(7) OJ No 
(8) OJ No L 52, 23.2.1978, p. 32. 
(9) OJ No L 378, 31.12.1982, p. 19. 
- 17 -
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
This Directive applies to new, hot-water boilers fired by liquid or 
gaseous fuels with a nominal output equal to or greater than 10 kW but 
less than 400 kW, hereinafter called "appliances". 
Article. Z 
For the purposes of this Directive the following definitions shall 
apply: 
boiler: the boiler heating body-burner unit; 
rated output, expressed In KW: the calorific output laid down and 
guaranteed by the manufacturer as being maintainable during 
continuous operation while complying with the performance levels 
indicated by the manufacturer; 
useful efficiency, expressed In %: the ratio between the useful 
heat output transmitted to the boiler water and the product of the 
net calorific value at constant fuel pressure and the consumption 
expressed as a quantity of fuel per unit time; 
part load, expressed In %: the ratio between the heat output of a 
boiler operating Intermittently or at an output lower than the 
rated output and the heat output at that same rated output; 
average temperature of the water in the boiler: the average of the 
water temperatures at the entry and exit of the boiler. 
- 18 -
Article a 
The following shall be excluded from this Directive: 
hot-water boilers fired with solid fuels, 
steam boilers, 
electric boilers, 
condensation boilers I.e. boilers with condensation of the water 
vapour contained In the fumes, 
heat pumps, 
hot-air generators, 
equipment for the Instantaneous preparation of sanitary hot water, 
boilers designed to be fired with fuels whose properties differ 
appreciably from the properties of liquid and gaseous fuels 
commonly marketed (industrial waste gas, blogas, etc.). 
^r 11cie 4 
1. Member States will take all useful steps to ensure that appliances 
cannot be put on the market and into service until they have 
satisfied the minimum performance standards set down In Article 5. 
2. Member States shall not prohibit, restrict or impede access to the 
market or the placing In service of appliances which satisfy this 
Directive. 
%mmmJmJLmmmmmAmmmA 
The appliances must comply with the following minimum useful efficiency 
I eve I s : 
1(a) Operating at rated output Pn expressed In kW, at an average 
temperature of the water in the boiler of 70'C: 
useful efficiency > (84 + 2 long Pn)%, 
i.e., for the outputs listed below, by way of example, the 
following minimum values: 
86% for boilers of 10 kW 
87% for boilers of 31.6 kW 
88% for boilers of 100 kW 
89% for boilers of 316 kW. 
- 19 -
(b) In the outpoint range between 10 kW and 31.6 kW Inclusive, for gas 
boilers fitted with natural draught burners, the requirement Is: 
useful efficiency > (81 + 4 log Pn) % 
2(a) Operating at 30% part load, at an average temperature of the 
water in the boiler of not less than 50*C: 
useful efficiency > (80 + 3 log Pn) % 
I.e., for the nominal outputs listed below, the following 
minimum values: 
83% for boilers of 10 kW 
84.5% for boilers of 31.6 kW 
86% for boilers of 100 kW 
87.5% for boilers of 316 kW. 
(b) In the output range between 10 kW and 31.6 kW Inclusive, for gas 
boilers fitted with natural draught burners, the requirement is: 
useful efficiency > (77 + 5 log Pn) % 
Article 6 
1. Quality labels can be attributed to appliances showing higher 
performance levels than the requirements set out in Article 5. For 
each extra point in both nominal load efficiency and part-load 
efficiency a "*" shall be attributed, i.e. 
* If the efficiency at nominal load > (85 + 2 log Pn) % 
and If efficiency at 30% part-load > (81 + 3 log Pn) % 
** if the efficiency at nominal load > (86 + 2 log Pn) % 
and If the efficiency at 30% part-load > (82 + 3 log Pn) % 
*** If the efficiency at nominal load > (87 + 2 log Pn) % 
and If the efficiency at 30% part-load > (83 + 3 log Pn) %. 
- 20 -
2. For small gas boilers fitted with natural draught burners In the 
output range of 1070-31.6 kW the required useful efficiency at 
nominal load to obtain: 
* is > (82 + 4 log Pn) % 
** Is > (83 + 4 log Pn) % 
*** is > (84 + 4 log Pn) % 
provided that the 30% part load efficiency requirement is met at 
the same time: 
* > (78 + 5 log Pn) % 
** > (79 + 5 log Pn) % 
*** > (80 + 5 log Pn) % 
•jB*MBBBBVjRsLtlBMBtaNBBMB*B«W 
1. Before launching on the market boiler bodies and burners 
commercialized separately, the manufacturers, agents or importers 
must obtain certificates specifying the parameters that will allow, 
after assembling, to reach the minimum useful efficiency set out in 
Article 5. 
If applicable-, these certificates will also attribute quality 
labels provided for in Article 6. 
2. Before launching on the market complete appliances the 
manufacturers, agents or Importers must obtain certificates 
guaranteeing their ability to reach the minimum useful efficiency 
set up In ArtIcle 5. 
If applicable, these certificates will also attribute quality 
labels provided for in Article 6. 
Boiler bodies and burners thus being successfully certified, can be 
marketed separately through a relevant Indication of burners and 
boiler bodies, that will allow to reach the minimum useful 
efficiency set out In Article 5 and the quality label provided for 
in Article 6. 
Article 8 
Member States shall Inform the Commission and the other Member States 
of the bodies empowered to carry out the inspection and issue the 
approval certificate referred to in Article 7. 
- 21 -
Article fl 
1. Member States shall adopt and publish before 1 January 1992 the 
provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall 
Immediately so Inform the Commission. The Member States shall 
apply these provisions from 1 January 1993. 
When Member States adopt these provisions, they shall contain a 
reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such 
reference at the time of their official publication. The procedure 
for such reference shall be adopted by Member States. 
2. Member States shall, for the period up to 31 December 1995, permit 
the placing on the market and putting Into service of appliances 
complying with national rules In force in their territory on 
31 December 1992. 
Article 10 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States 
Done at Brussels, For the Council 
The President 
- 22 -
Directive chaudières 
PIehe d*impact PME/EMPLOI 
Obligations administrâtIvos 
La plupart des Etats membres ont des contraintes de rendement et 
des systèmes de contrôle de ces rendements. M n'y a donc que peu 
de changement à prévoir à ce niveau. 
2. Avantages pour l'entreprise 
Les entreprises qui ont fourni un effort de progrès technologique 
verront celui-ci valorisé. Les autres entreprises devront fournir 
cet effort. 
3. Inconvénients pour l'entreprise 
Même si une large majorité d'entreprises sont prêtes à répondre aux 
exigences de cette directive, certaines devront envisager un 
nouveau design de leurs équipements, ce qui nécessitera des 
Investissements principalement dans le secteur des chaudières en 
fonte. 
«•BBBjLBBB%BaWBARaBHBB>BjBnB^ 
L'application de la directive devrait, pour les constructeurs qui 
ne sont pas encore à même de répondre aux nouvelles exigences, 
accélérer le processus d'évolution technologique avec 
vraisemblablement quelques pertes d'emploi. 
5. Concertation socials préalable. 
Non 
6. La directive 82/885/CEE avait proposé une approche moins 
contraignante en demandant des rendement "économiquement 
Justifiés". 
Une telle approche a donné Ileu à des applications très divergentes 
nullement compatibles avec un marché Intérieur et une utilisation 
rationnelle de l'énergie. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (90) 368 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 12 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-544-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-65476-7 
PRICE 1-30 pages: 3.50 ECU per additional 10 pages: 1.25 ECU 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg