Energy consumption: Framework for labelling rules

 

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 on energy labelling

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS REGULATION?

It sets out the basis for labelling energy-related products, providing standard information about energy efficiency — as well as the consumption of energy and other resources — to help consumers in purchase decisions. It does not cover second-hand products, unless they are imported from outside the EU, or means of transport.

It repeals Directive 2010/30/EU.

KEY POINTS

All energy-related products will display labels on a new, updated and clearer scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). This system will replace the previous system of A+++ to G labels, which is less effective because of the development of more energy-efficient products. There is also a requirement for a product information sheet.

Labels already in use before 1 August 2017 will be rescaled by the European Commission, i.e. recalibrated to conform with the new regulation.

The Commission adopts a separate delegated act for each specific product group to supplement the regulation. This establishes detailed requirements for labelling of specific product groups where:

• the product group has significant potential for energy saving;
• within the product group, equivalent models have significantly different levels of performance;
• there is no significant negative impact in terms of affordability or the overall costs of the product group.

Delegated acts relating to specific product groups specify, among other things:

• the specific product group which is to be covered by the detailed labelling requirements;
• the design and content of the label, including a scale showing consumption of energy consisting of A to G, which should have a uniform design across product groups;
• other information emphasising the energy efficiency of the product;
• where appropriate, a reference in the label identifying products that are energy smart, i.e. capable of adapting and optimising consumption patterns;
• the measurement and calculation methods to be used to determine label and product information, including the definition of the energy efficiency index (EEI);
• the evaluation date and possible revision date of the delegated act;
• differences in energy performances in different climatic regions.

The supplier and dealer responsibilities are to:

• display the energy efficiency class of the product and the range of classes available on the label;
• cooperate with market surveillance authorities and take immediate action to remedy any non-compliance;
• for products covered by delegated acts, not display other information likely to mislead customers about energy consumption;
• for products not covered by delegated acts, or non-energy related products, not display labels which mimic those under this regulation.

Dealers, including online dealers, must display the label provided by the supplier and make available to customers the product information sheet at the point of sale.

The Commission will establish a product registration database:

• to support market surveillance authorities in carrying out their tasks, including enforcement;
• to provide the public with information about products, their energy labels and product information sheets;
• to provide the Commission with up-to-date energy efficiency information to review energy labelling.

The database will allow the public to consult product labels and information sheets, making it easier to compare the energy efficiency of household appliances.

The regulation also requires manufacturers to inform consumers if software or firmware (software that is embedded in a piece of hardware and serves as the interface between that hardware and the operating system, e.g. on a smartphone or computer) updates could reduce a product’s energy efficiency. It bans the use of ‘defeat devices’, which alter a product’s performance under test conditions.

By 2 August 2025, the Commission will assess the implementation of this regulation and submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 August 2017, except for the obligations of suppliers in relation to the product database which apply from 1 January 2019.

BACKGROUND

• List of energy labelling measures — August 2017 (European Commission)
• Energy efficiency (European Commission)
• Energy efficient products (European Commission)
• Commission publishes new energy efficient labelling regulations to empower consumers (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU (OJ L 198, 28.7.2017, pp. 1-23)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (OJ L 285, 31.10.2009, pp. 10-35)

Successive amendments to Directive 2009/125/EC have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: European energy security strategy (COM(2014) 330 final, 28.5.2014).

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank — A framework strategy for a resilient energy union with a forward-looking climate change policy (COM(2015) 80 final, 25 February 2015)

last update 27.06.2018