EU drops plans to make toasters more energy efficient over 'intrusion' fears

Proposal to cut emissions controversially omits several appliances on the grounds that economic benefits would not be worth the negative publicity

The EU has dropped plans to force toaster-makers to improve the energy efficiency of their products over fears of the political costs of being seen to be intruding in people's daily lives, it has emerged.

But while a new EU plan to cut emissions controversially emits several appliances, the manufacturers of electric kettles, refrigerators and hand driers will have to make their future products consume less energy.