EU Energy Labels – Another Piece in the Sustainability Puzzle

You may have noticed in the past few months a new version of the widely-recognised EU energy label. Indeed, as of 1 March 2021, the well-known label has been changed – initially to four product categories: fridges and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, and television sets and other external monitors. New labels for light bulbs and lamps with fixed light sources will follow soon on 1 September. Other products will follow in the coming years (e.g. local heaters, air conditioners, ventilation units,  etc.).

With more and more products achieving ratings as A+, A++ or A+++ according to the previous scale, the European Commission decided to return to a simpler A-G scale. This new scale is stricter and designed so that very few products are initially able to achieve the “A” rating, leaving space for more efficient products to be included in the future. The most energy efficient products currently on the market will typically now be labelled as “B”, “C” or “D”.

This is a part of a wider effort by the European Commission to improve the ecodesign rules. For instance, manufacturers are now required to keep spare parts available for a number of years after products are no longer on the market.