First introduced for a number of household appliances as of 1994, the EU energy label has been a key driver for helping consumers choose products which are more energy efficient. At the same time, it encourages manufacturers to innovate and use more efficient technologies.
The energy label is well-known by citizens - it is recognised by 93% of consumers and considered by 79% when buying labelled products, according to a Special Eurobarometer 492 survey.
In addition to information about the product’s energy consumption, the labels can also provide supplementary information about other relevant features, such as the product’s noise emissions or water consumption.
Understanding the Energy Label
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For more information about the different energy labels for each product please consult the Product list page and view each specific product.
Class arrow and range
In October 2023, the ECJ issued a pre-judicial ruling with an interpretation of the current EU Energy labelling rules. The Court found that visual advertisement/promotional material should not only include label rating, but also the relevant range, even for products that are regulated by an “old” labelling delegated act (adopted prior to the 2017 revision of the framework where this requirement was introduced). The Commission considers the ruling set a principle that can be applied to all products covered by energy labelling acts adopted under the previous framework.
A new generation of labels
After a generation of labels using classes above A (A+,A++, A+++), it was in 2017 decided to gradually return to a simpler scale with A as the best in order to be more understandable to consumers. The revised classes will also be more ambitious and thus pave the way for more innovative and energy efficient products. Since 2021, the current energy label with energy classes from A+++ to D are gradually being replaced with a new, simpler scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
This article, published in 2021, further explains the new generation of EU energy labels.
What are the main changes with the new Energy Efficiency Labels?
The evolution of labels
The images below illustrate the transition of the latest 3 generations of labels, for fridges and freezers (note: contrary to the A to G to A+++ to D evolution, no precise mapping of a class into another of the newest label is possible because the parameters and test methods used to classify the performance have evolved).
The history of the label in a timeline
- 1976
First EU measure regarding information on energy use of appliances
- 1979
First Framework Energy Labelling Directive and first EU-designed label
- 1992
First framework for mandatory/EU wide Energy Labelling
- 1994
First EU-designed, mandatory label (refrigerators/freezers)
- 2010
Energy labelling made possible for more energy-related products
- 2017
Current energy labelling framework – product registration in EU databases (EPREL) decided & back to A-G scale
- 2021
QR codes on labels become operational
- 2022
EPREL database search tool available online
Read more about the history of Energy Labelling in the EU
Labels worldwide
The energy label is not only popular in the EU, variants of it are used also in many third countries.
To learn more about appliance standards and labelling programmes worldwide, consult for example the Energy Labels & Standards Analysis IEA.
Guidance for manufacturers and dealers
A guidance note on the labels rescaling and transition periods is available since June 2020.
In addition, from 1 January 2019, suppliers (manufacturers, importers or authorised representatives) have to upload information about their products into the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) before placing these products on the European market. Consumers have been able to search the database for energy labels and product information sheets as of March 2021 for the first rescaled product categories.
Read more about the creation, format and printing of the energy label.