As with a huge number of laws that flood out of the Commission’s Berlaymont building in the Belgian capital, this new directive is intended to help tackle climate change – even though the organisation itself has two Parliaments hundreds of miles apart, numerous courts, administration buildings and luxury offices for bureaucrats as well as a fleet of chauffeur driven cars to let tubby MEPs avoid having to walk anywhere themselves. The cost of travelling between the different buildings as well as maintaining the staff and offices run into billions of euros for the tax payer.

In the Brussels Parliament, restaurants are subsidised by the tax payer, computers are rarely turned off overnight and TVs run continuously. But a cup of hot coffee from one of the many bars scattered around the beige building costs €1.10, less than half the price of anywhere in the rest of the capital. The European Commission claims that the new rules won’t affect consumers as most filter machines have insulated jugs but for people who actually want a hot, rather than warm beverage it will mean the start of a lot of close watching as their morning wake up drink brews.

Espresso machines must now power down after 30 minutes and functions keeping cups warm will end after 60 minutes. But officials claim that consumers will not even notice as ‘coffee in drip-filter mugs without an insulated jug is undrinkable after 40 minutes anyway. Under the new rules drip filter machines with non-insulated jugs must power down 40 minutes after the end of the last brewing cycle. But the new rules have found supporters in some areas, with a spokesman from the National Federation of Women’s Issues saying that “having appliances designed to be sparing with electricity is definitely a good thing for your household finances.”

“Nobody likes to waste energy, and at a time when energy bills are increasing” added Marylyn Haines Evans, public affairs chairwoman; “Coffee is one of the many products threatened by climate change, so it’s also good to know that when you’re making a cup, you’re doing your bit to cut down on carbon emissions too.”