Mandatory information to consumers on appliances’ energy consumption

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Energy label
 

Energy labels inform consumers about the characteristics and energy consumption of products available on the market. This label is compulsory in all EU member states for products that are sold in the EU. Manufacturers and retailers must affix the label, even when such products are sold online.

In addition to the product specifications for each product category, all energy labels display information such as:

  • brand;
  • manufacturer’s name;
  • energy consumption;
  • energy efficiency.

To learn more about the information requirements for specific products, see the following Regulations relating to:

Product information sheet
 

The product information sheet is a standardized statement that must be included in product brochures or in documentation provided to consumers. The contents of the sheet are specified by the regulator for each product category.

Alternatively, the regulations may consider it sufficient for the supplier to enter the information sheet’s parameters into the EPREL Database. In this case, when required, the supplier must make a hardcopy information sheet available to the distributor. Retailers are also required to make a printed copy of the information sheet available to customers.

 Online retailers must comply with the provisions contained in the Annexes to the Regulations which require the energy label and the product information sheet to be easily available and visible on the website.

In particular, the electronic information sheet and the energy label must appear on the display device near the price and be clearly visible and legible. The energy label and the information sheet may be displayed either by a "nested" display or by a reference to the product database.

If a "nested" display is used, information must appear on the first mouse click, mouse roll-over or touch screen expansion on the link.

 

Energy classification
 

The energy classification is expressed by a scale from A to G, corresponding to a chromatic scale from green to red. The energy classes must correspond to significant energy and cost savings from a customer’s perspective.

The chromatic scale consists of 7 different colours ranging from dark green to red. Dark green always corresponds to a higher level of energy efficiency. There will always be seven classes unless a new class includes a significant number of products. If there are more than 7 classes, only red may be repeated.

As energy-related products are becoming more and more efficient, the European Union has decided to stop adding the symbol "+" to the A-class, and to rescale energy labels on a product-by-product basis.

In rescaled labels, energy classes are re-determined through higher standards. The higher categories are left empty, in order to encourage innovation and energy efficiency.
 

Registration in the EPREL Database
 

Since January 1, 2019, manufacturers, importers, and representatives authorized by manufacturers with registered offices in non-EU countries who wish to market one of the products listed in Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 have been required to register the products in the EPREL Database (European Product Database for Energy Labelling).

The competent surveillance authorities (Chambers of Commerce, Customs Agency, Finance Police) can access the database while making inspections.

Information to be contained in the database includes:

  • product information sheet;
  • technical documentation;
  • compliance checks.

The registration of products in the EPREL database allows the creation of new energy labels with a QR code allowing consumers to access product information.