Legislative Observatory
European Parliament
Please fill in this field to find a procedure

Energy efficiency labelling

2015/0149(COD)

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Dario TAMBURRANO (EFDD, IT) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council setting a framework for energy efficiency labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure should adopt its position at first reading subject to the following amendments:

Scope: the amended text stipulates that this Regulation lays down a framework that applies to energy-related products and provides them with a label regarding energy efficiency, absolute consumption of energy and other environmental and performance characteristics. It allows customers to choose more energy-efficient products in order to reduce their energy consumption.

This Regulation does not apply to:

  • second hand products (i.e. all those that have been put into service before being made available on the market for a second or additional time);
  • means of transport for persons or goods in which the motor stays in the same location while it is operated, for example elevators, escalators and conveyor belts.

Definition of label and rescaling: the amended text seeks to clarify the term ‘label’. It shall mean a graphic diagram, in printed or electronic form, including a closed scale using only letters from A to G, each class corresponding to significant energy savings, in seven different colours from dark green to red, in order to inform customers about energy efficiency and energy consumption.

There is a need for an initial rescaling of existing labels, in order to ensure a homogeneous A to G scale, adapting them to the requirements of this Regulation. The report stated that Member States shall ensure that the introduction and rescaling of labels is accompanied by educational and promotional information campaigns on energy labelling. The Commission shall coordinate those campaigns, supporting close cooperation with suppliers and dealers and the exchange of best practices.

In order to ensure a homogenous A to G scale, it is proposed that the Commission should introduce rescaled labels for existing product groups within 5 years after the entry into force of this Regulation,

Any future rescale should aim for a validity period of at least 10 years, according to the Members, who laid down the following trigger criteria for future rescales:

  • when 25% of the products sold within the EU market fall into the top energy efficiency class A; or
  • when 50% of the products sold within the EU market fall into the top two energy efficiency classes A+B.

Since the post-rescaling distribution of product models in the A-G energy classes will have significant implications on the market, a flexible approach is kept for ‘steering’ it, proposing three options of decreasing ‘rescaling intensity’:

  • C-G (with two empty classes at the top),
  • B-G (one empty class),
  • A-G (no empty classes).

Clear and legible label: the amended text stipulates that the label should contain information about the energy efficiency class of the product model, and its absolute consumption in kWh, displayed per year or per any relevant period of time. Suppliers and dealers would have to refer to the energy efficiency class of the product in any visual advertisement or technical promotional material for a specific model of product.

Product database: the ‘product database’ shall be established in order to collect data concerning the energy-related products covered by this Regulation. It shall be arranged in a systematic manner and consisting of a public interface, organised as a consumer-oriented website, where information is individually accessible by electronic means, and a compliance interface, structured as an electronic platform supporting the activities of national market surveillance authorities, with clearly specified accessibility and security requirements.

Easy direct access to the public interface of the product database should be facilitated by a dynamic quick response code (QR) or other user-oriented tools included on the printed label. The database should be subject to strict data protection rules.

Market surveillance: given that the current system of market surveillance is often criticised, Members have proposed to strengthen market surveillance and Union safeguard procedures. National market surveillance authorities should perform compliance monitoring also through physical product testing, and the Information and Communication System on Market Surveillance (ICSMS) to exchange information about planned and completed product testing, to make available testing protocols and to share the outcome of their tests, thus avoiding double testing and paving the way for regional centres of excellence for physical testing. It is proposed that the Commission should set up and maintain an online portal that provides market surveillance authorities access to detailed product information on the servers of suppliers.

By 1 January 2018, Member States shall establish and implement a market surveillance plan for monitoring the enforcement of the requirements of this Regulation. Member States shall review their market surveillance plans at least every three years.