Abstract
Energy efficiency recently became a cornerstone of the European energy policies. A particular mechanism is emerging, namely white certificates. Such certificates attest to the energy efficiency of a product or service according to predefined baselines and targets. White certificates are currently being used in Italy, the United Kingdom and France, while the European Directive on Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services is considering them as a possible remedy to improve security of supply, energy efficiency, environmental protection, economic competitiveness and social cohesion. This article aims accordingly to analyse the potential for a European-wide white certificates scheme, having due regard to the European framework, national experiences and international trade law.