Simpler energy labelling in the EU as European Commission proposes digital labels and tax simplification

By removing, among other things, tax rules that are deemed unnecessary and overlapping, for example withholding tax on cross-border payments of interest and dividends, the European Commission hopes to save at least the equivalent of SEK 88 billion a year.

On the energy side, money will be saved by switching to digital energy labelling more often, especially for products sold directly between businesses - such as refrigerated displays for grocery stores - rather than to ordinary consumers. This also includes car tyres.

Wednesday's two proposals are part of the European Commission's long-running series of so-called "omnibus packages" to reduce bureaucracy and improve competitiveness.