You scanned a QR code of a new European energy label that leads you into EPREL, the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling.
Energy and environmental information on products carrying the new EU energy label will be visible in the database, in shops and for on-line sales as of
- 1 March 2021 for fridges, washing machines, dishwashers, electronic displays and refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function
- 1 May 2021 for tyres
- 1 September 2021 for lamps
To view information for another model, you can scan the QR-code on its label. Additional functionalities will be made available in the EPREL database, including search tools, in the coming months.
Questions and answers
- How to recognise the EU energy label for a rescaled product?
- Why a new EU energy label with an A to G scale?
New electric device models are becoming more and more energy efficient, and almost all new products are labelled in the top categories (A+++, A++, A+, A, B…). Rather than adding more plusses to the A class, the new energy labels are being “rescaled”, product by product to a simple A to G scale.
The higher categories are left empty, to encourage innovation and leave room for progress. In a rescaled label, the energy class for a product is determined on higher standards.
Another novelty in the energy label is the QR code that will lead (as of the dates mentioned above) directly to the product model information in the product database.
- Why did I find two energy labels in the product box?
To prepare the transition between the current and the rescaled energy label, both labels will be available in product boxes for a short period. Later, only new energy labels should in use.
Because of the higher standards introduced, a product model may “drop” by several letters as regards its energy class with the new label. For example, a fridge that has an A+++ energy efficiency class could be in class C in the new label. It is the same products and its energy efficiency has not changed, but the new label uses higher standards for the energy efficiency class.
When comparing products and models, it is key to make sure the comparison is based on the same kind of label.
- Why do some product’s values differ between the current and the rescaled label?
Several adjustments of the calculation methods occur in the new labels. Therefore, values may differ and sometimes a lot.
For example, the energy consumption of washing machines in the current label is based on an annual use, but in the new label the calculation is made for 100 washing cycles. For televisions, the energy consumption formula has changed, to better take into consideration the consumption of internal components and not only of the screen.
The labels are not only a guide to save energy and money; some also provide environmental information, such as the product’s noise emitted or its typical water consumption. With a better informed choice, consumers can contribute to a greener economy.