Energy Labelling of Products
Energy labels show how an appliance is classified on a scale from A+++ to G according to its energy consumption. The annual energy consumption of products is estimated and compared against similar products included in the respective energy class. This energy class, together with the other information included on the label (other resources such as water consumption, noise, size, etc.), helps consumers to select products with high energy efficiency. The labels cover 16 product categories, most of them being household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, ovens, vacuum cleaners, light bulbs, as well as equipment such as boilers, water heaters, air conditioning units, etc.). Energy labelling covers appliances with the highest energy-saving potential and which consume the largest share of household energy.
The label is uniform for all products in a category and must be displayed prominently. This allows consumers to easily compare the characteristics of the appliances (e.g. energy consumption, water consumption, capacity, noise level).
The aim of the labelling system is to:
influence the public’s choices in favour of less energy-intensive devices
lead manufacturers to take energy-saving measures
become an advertising tool for suppliers and merchants to promote energy efficient products to their customers.
In assessing the effectiveness of Directive 2010/30/EU, the European Commission identified the need to update the energy labelling framework, and it was duly replaced by 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. According to the preamble of the Regulation, the use of a Regulation instead of a Directive was chosen to impose clear and detailed rules that exclude any discrepancies in transposition into the legislation of the Member States, thus ensuring a higher degree of harmonisation across the Union. A harmonised regulatory framework at Union level, rather than Member State level, also reduces costs for manufacturers, ensures a level playing field and ensures the free movement of goods in the internal market.
CHANGE OF ENERGY RATING SCALE
As a result of technological development and the manufacturing of products that are becoming more and more energy efficient, and because the difference between A++ and A+++ is less obvious to consumers, a simpler A to G scale is to be introduced. A product showing an A+++ energy efficiency class could become class B after rescaling without any change in its energy consumption. Under the new rating system, class A will initially be left empty (no products currently in circulation on the market will be given this rating) in order to encourage manufacturers to continue research and innovation in technologies with higher energy efficiency.
A new feature on these labels is the QR code through which consumers will be able to access additional official (non-commercial) information by scanning the code using any smartphone. This data is entered by manufacturers in the EU EPREL database, which has been providing open access to all European citizens since 1 March 2021.
Below are the relevant links under the new Regulations for products bearing the new energy label:
refrigerators
dishwashers
washing machines/washer-driers
electronic displays, including televisions
light sources/bulbs
The new labels will be found at all product distribution outlets, retail stores, advertisements and online platforms as of 1 March 2021 for refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines/washer driers and electronic displays, and for light sources/light bulbs as of 1 September 2021.
Detailed examples of how to change the labelling for all of the above product categories have been prepared under the framework of the Boost Energy Label Take-up or BELT Project, which is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme.
All transitional periods granted by the European Commission end on 30 November 2021. From 1 December 2021, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, washer driers, dishwashers, and electronic vending displays may only be offered for sale in retail shops, or through advertisements and online platforms if they carry the new EU energy label.
Within the framework of the LABEL 2020 project, an online application ‘SARONO & SYGKRINO’ (SCAN & COMPARE) was developed and made available to consumers.
This online application helps consumers to select energy-efficient electrical appliances, by making the product comparison process quick and simple. By scanning the QR code appearing on the label of a product using a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer, the consumer has direct access to all of the technical features registered in the European Union’s product database (EPREL). Alternatively, if scanning is not possible, consumers can enter the product code and view the technical characteristics via EPREL.
You can find the LABEL 2020 online application at: https://tool.label2020.eu/gr . The other delegated regulations adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 2017/1369 will continue to apply. Energy Labelling Regulations for all products can be found here.
For the purpose of the effective implementation of certain provisions of the European Union act entitled ‘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’, Law 44(Ι)/2021 ‘On the labelling of energy efficiency, energy consumption and other resources by energy-related products during their use’ shall apply.
