European Union energy label

Example EU energy label for a refrigerator.

EU Directive 92/75/EC (1992)[1] established an energy consumption labelling scheme. The directive was implemented by several other directives[2] thus most white goods, light bulb packaging and cars must have an EU Energy Label clearly displayed when offered for sale or rent. The energy efficiency of the appliance is rated in terms of a set of energy efficiency classes from A to G on the label, A being the most energy efficient, G the least efficient. The labels also give other useful information to the customer as they choose between various models. The information should also be given in catalogues and included by internet retailers on their websites.

In an attempt to keep up with advances in energy efficiency, A+, A++, and A+++ grades were later introduced for various products; since 2010, a new type of label exists that makes use of pictograms rather than words, to allow manufacturers to use a single label for products sold in different countries.

Directive 92/75/EC was replaced by Directive 2010/30/EU,[3] and was again replaced by Regulation 2017/1369/EU from 1 August 2017.[4][5] Updated labelling requirements entered into force in 2021, the exact date depends on the relevant delegated regulation[6] (e.g. dishwasher's labels change 1 March 2021).[7]

It reintroduced a simpler classification, using only the letters from A to G. The rescaling will also lead to better differentiation among products that, under the current label classification, all appear in the same top categories. It means, for example, that a fridge that currently has the A+++ label could become a C category, even though the fridge is just as energy efficient as before. The main principle is that the A category will be empty at first, and B and C categories scarcely populated, to pave way for new, more energy efficient products to be invented and developed.[8]

  1. ^ "Council Directive 92/75/EEC of 22 September 1992 on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances". Europa (web portal). 22 September 1992. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  2. ^ "Summaries of EU legislation > Consumers > Product labelling and packaging > Household appliances: energy consumption labelling (until 2011)". Europa.eu. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  3. ^ "Directive 2010/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products". Europa (web portal). Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  4. ^ Press release
  5. ^ Regulation 2017/1369/EU
  6. ^ Delegated acts to Regulation 2017/1369/EU
  7. ^ Commission Delegated Regulation 2019/2017/EU, Article 11
  8. ^ "In focus: A new generation of EU energy labels". European Commission – European Commission. Retrieved 10 January 2021. Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.