The Evolution of the EU Energy Label: A Clearer System for Consumers and Manufacturers

By Ledrise Led Professional
Dec 14, 2022

The EU energy label, a familiar sight on household products like LED lights, television sets, and washing machines, has guided consumers in making informed purchasing decisions for over 25 years. According to a 2019 EU-wide Eurobarometer survey, 93% of consumers recognized the label, and 79% said it influenced their product choices. Coupled with harmonized minimum performance requirements known as ecodesign, EU energy labeling rules have significantly reduced consumer expenditure and generated numerous benefits for the environment, manufacturers, and retailers.

To further help EU consumers lower their energy bills and carbon footprint, a new version of the EU energy label was implemented in all shops and online retailers starting September 1, 2021. This article explores the changes in the new EU energy label, its implications for consumers and manufacturers, and the benefits of adopting the updated system.

The New EU Energy Label: Key Changes and Implications

The new energy labels apply to four product categories: fridges and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, and television sets (and other external monitors). From September, they also apply to light bulbs and lamps with fixed light sources, including LED bulbs, LED strips, and LED fixtures.

The primary change in the new EU energy label is the return to a simpler A-G scale, replacing the previous A+, A++, and A+++ ratings, which had become increasingly common, particularly for LED lights. This change was implemented to ensure clarity for consumers and motivate businesses to innovate and develop more energy-efficient products, contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The new A-G scale is stricter, with only a few products initially able to achieve the "A" rating. This approach leaves room for future advancements in energy efficiency. Consequently, the most energy-efficient products from the past will now typically receive "B", "C", or "D" ratings. The updated EU energy label for LED lights, compared to the old one, can be seen below:

The new A-G scale is stricter, with only a few products initially able to achieve the "A" rating

The new A-class LED lights offer significantly higher energy efficiency than the previous A+++ class. In addition to the energy efficiency class rescaling, the new label features a more modern layout with clearer icons. Like the previous labels, the updated versions display more than just the energy efficiency class. For example, a washing machine's label also includes information on water usage per cycle, cycle duration, and energy consumption based on a standardized program.

As some products still feature the old energy label, understanding the differences between the two systems is important. Otherwise, consumers risk purchasing an A-class product that, under the new system, would be rated as class G:

As some products still feature the old energy label, understanding the differences between the two systems is important

One notable addition to the new labels is a QR code located in the top right corner. By scanning the QR code, consumers can access additional information about the product model, such as dimensions, specific features, or test results, depending on the appliance. All appliances on the EU market must be registered in a new EU-wide database called the European Product Registry for Energy Labels (EPREL), which will further facilitate comparisons between similar products in the future.

The updated EU energy label aims to provide a clearer, more effective system for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions based on energy efficiency. The new A-G scale encourages manufacturers to innovate and develop more efficient products, while also helping consumers reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint. By understanding the differences between the old and new energy labels, consumers can ensure they are making the most environmentally friendly choices when purchasing household products like LED lights, television sets, or washing machines.

At Ledrise you can now find highly efficient LED lights with A or B energy class rating, according to the newest European energy efficiency standards: