Overview of the basic requirements
Energy labelling legislation
The energy labelling regulations include specific obligations for suppliers and dealers resp. installers, which may act as dealers in the sense of the regulation as well. Currently, energy labelling regulations are in place for 16 product groups.
The energy label regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and the related product-specific regulations specify the environmental product information, which is to be provided by suppliers:
- The energy label shows the environmental key information for the product in a specified graphic format. The label must be attached to products for buyer information at the point of sale. It allows consumers to do a quick comparison of the energy and resource efficiency of products. Typically, 3-6 key indicators are shown on the label including the energy efficiency and the energy consumption of the product as well as a few other environmental parameters displayed with icons (e.g. noise emissions).
- On the product fiche/product information sheet (PIS) more detailed technical information is provided. It is publicly available as well, e.g. as a download on suppliers’, dealers’ and installers’ websites.
- The energy labelling technical documentation, to be provided by manufacturers, includes very detailed technical specifications and is only accessible for market surveillance authorities.
- On the EPREL database, all labelled products have to be registered with all data also provided on the label and the product fiche/product information sheet. This information is also publicly available. The technical documentation is also made available via EPREL, however for market surveillance authorities only.
How to find specific content in the product regulations?
Below you will get an overview of the kind of information and topics, which are typically covered in the product-specific regulations and show you, where to find them. The product-specific energy labelling regulations typically have the following structure:
- Introduction with general considerations; no obligations are addressed here
- Articles
- Article 1 specifies the scope of the regulation (i.e., which products are covered, also indicating exempted product types).
- Article 2 lists required technical definitions for the regulation.
- Article 3 specifies the general obligations of suppliers.
- Article 4 specifies the general obligations of dealers.
- Article 5 specifies calculation methods to be used for the product declarations (which are described in detail in the annex).
- Article 6 references aspects of compliance checks by MSAs, which are further described in the annex.
- Article 7 indicates, when the regulation will be revised and what aspects will be considered for the revision.
- Additional articles might include various information (amend other regulations, put them out of force and define transitional measures, e.g., which obligations can be applied when during the shift from a current to a new regulation).
- The last article specifies the entry into force of the regulation.
- Annexes
- Annex I lists further definitions needed for the annexes.
- Annex II defines the efficiency or performance classes for the parameters shown on the label, like energy efficiency, noise, etc. (product-group specific).
- Annex III specifies the energy label design and content.
- Annex IV explains, how parameters shall be measured or calculated (if not specified in (harmonized) standards).
- Annex V specifies the content of the product information sheet (PIS).
- Annex VI specifies the content of the labelling technical documentation.
- Annex VII specifies the obligations of dealers in advertisements and distance selling.
- Annex VIII specifies the obligations of dealers in online shops.
- Annex IX explains, how MSAs have to check compliance.