European Union energy label


92/75/EC established an energy consumption labelling scheme. The directive was implemented by several other directives thus most white goods, light bulb packaging and cars must have an EU Energy Label clearly displayed when offered for sale or rent. The energy efficiency of the appliance is rated in terms of a set of energy efficiency classes from A to G on the label, A being the most energy efficient, G the least efficient. The labels also give other useful information to the customer as they choose between various models. The information should also be given in catalogues and included by internet retailers on their websites.
In an attempt to keep up with advances in energy efficiency, A+, A++, and A+++ grades were later introduced for various products; since 2010, a new type of label exists that makes use of pictograms rather than words, to allow manufacturers to use a single label for products sold in different countries.
Directive 92/75/EC was replaced by Directive 2010/30/EU, and was again replaced by Regulation 2017/1369/EU from 1 August 2017. Updated labelling requirements entered into force in 2021, the exact date depended on the relevant delegated regulation.
It reintroduced a simpler classification, using only the letters from A to G. The rescaling led to better differentiation among products that, under the previous label classification, all appeared in the same top categories. It meant, for example, that a fridge that previously had an A+++ label could now be a C category, even though the fridge is just as energy efficient as before. The main principle was that the A category would be empty at first, and B and C categories scarcely populated, to pave way for new, more energy efficient products to be invented and developed.

Major appliances

Labelling

The energy labels are separated into at least four categories:
  • The appliance's details: according to each appliance, specific details, of the model and its materials.
  • Energy class: a colour code associated with a letter that gives an idea of the appliance's electrical consumption relative to what is available on the market
  • Consumption, efficiency, capacity, etc.: this section gives information according to appliance type.
  • Noise: the noise emitted by the appliance is described in decibels.

    Refrigerating appliances

For refrigerating appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, wine-storage appliances, and combined appliances, the labelling is specified in terms of an energy efficiency index EEI, which is an indication of the annual power consumption relative to a reference consumption that is based on the storage volume and the type of appliance.
The label also contains:
  • the annual energy consumption in kW·h
  • the capacity of fresh foods in litres for refrigerators and combined appliances
  • the capacity of frozen foods in litres for freezers and combined appliances
  • the noise in dB

    Pre-2021

For cold appliances, for models that are more economical than those of category A, categories A+, A++, and A+++ were previously assigned. According to the 2010 regulations, the boundary between the A+ and A classes was 44 up to 1 July 2014, and 42 after that date.

Washing machines and tumble dryers

Up to 2010, the energy efficiency scale for washing machines is calculated based on a cotton cycle at 60 °C with a maximum declared load. This load is typically 6 kg. The energy efficiency index is in kW·h per kilogram of washing, assuming a cold-water supply at 15 °C.
The energy label also contains information on:
  • total consumption per cycle
  • washing performance – with a class from A to G
  • spin drying performance – with a class from A to G
  • maximum spin speed
  • the total cotton capacity in kg
  • water consumption per cycle in litres
  • noise in the washing and spinning cycles dB
The washing performance is measured according to European harmonised standard EN 60456 and is based on a 60 °C cycle on fabric samples with stains of oil, blood, chocolate, sebum, and red wine, using a standardised detergent and compared against a reference washing machine. The amount of stain removal is then translated into a washing performance index.
The spin-drying efficiency class is based on the remaining moisture content, which is the mass of water divided by the dry mass of cotton fabrics. It is based on a weighted average of full-load and partial-load cycles.
A new energy label, introduced in 2010, is based on the energy efficiency index, and has energy classes in the range A+++ to D. The EEI is a measure of the annual electricity consumption, and includes energy consumed during power-off and standby modes, and the energy consumed in 220 washing cycles. For the washing cycles, a weighted mix consisting of 42% full-load cycles at 60 °C, 29% partial-load cycles at 60 °C, and 29% partial-load cycles at 40 °C. The washing performance is not mentioned anymore, since all washing machines must reach class A anyway. For a 6-kg machine, an EEI of 100 is equivalent to 334 kWh per year, or 1.52 kWh per cycle.
For tumble dryers the energy efficiency scale is calculated using the cotton drying cycle with a maximum declared load. The energy efficiency index is in kW·h per kilogram of load. Different scales apply for condenser and vented dryers.
For condenser dryers, a weighted condensation efficiency class is calculated using the average condensation efficiency for the standard cotton cycle at both full and partial load.
The label also contains:
  • the energy consumption per cycle
  • the total cotton capacity
  • whether the unit is vented or condensing
  • cycle time corresponding to the standard cotton programme at full load in minutes
  • noise in dB
For combined washer dryers the energy efficiency scale is calculated using the cotton drying cycle with a maximum declared load. The energy efficiency index is in kW·h per kilogram of load. Different scales apply for condenser and vented dryers.
The label also contains:
  • the energy consumption per cycle
  • the energy consumption per cycle – washing only
  • washing performance – with a class from A to G
  • the maximum spin speed
  • the total cotton capacity
  • water consumption for a full load washed and dried – note that condenser dryers may use significant amounts of water on the drying cycle
  • noise in dB

    Dishwashers

The energy efficiency of a dishwasher is calculated according to the number of place settings. For the most common size of appliance, the 12 place setting machine the following classes apply up to 2010.
After 2010, a new system is used, based on an energy efficiency index, which is based on the annual power usage, based on stand-by power consumption and 280 cleaning cycles, relative to the standard power usage for that type of dishwasher. For a 12-place-setting dishwasher, an EEI of 100 corresponds to 462 kWh per year.
After 2021, the energy efficiency index thresholds were updated.
The label also contains:
  • the energy consumption in kW·h /cycle
  • the efficiency of the washing cycle with a class from A to G
  • the efficiency of the drying cycle with a class from A to G
  • the capacity as a number of place settings
  • the water consumption in litres per cycle
  • noise in dB

    Ovens

For ovens, the label also contains:
  • the efficiency with a class from A to G
  • the energy consumption in kW·h
  • the volume in litres
  • the type

    Air conditioners

For air conditioners, the directive applies only to units under 12 kW. Every label contains the following information:
  • the model,
  • the energy efficiency category from A+++ to G,
  • the annual energy consumption
  • the cooling output at full load in kW
  • the energy efficiency ratio in cooling mode at full load
  • the appliance type
  • the cooling mode
  • the noise rating in dB
Labels for air conditioners with heating capability also contain:
  • the heat output at full load in kW
  • the heating mode energy efficiency category

    Light bulbs

From 1 September 2021

Source:
Every label of light sources, including light bulbs or LED modules/lamps, contains the following information:
  • the energy efficiency category from A to G
  • the electricity consumption of the lamp in kWh per 1000 hours
Where the energy efficiency category is given by this table:
Where,, is defined as the total mains efficacy, calculated as:
Where is the declared useful luminous flux, is the declared on-mode power consumption, and is a factor between 0.926 and 1.176 depending on the light source being or not directional and being or not powered from mains. Non-directional operating on mains: 1,000 and not operating on mains: 0,926; directional on mains: 1,176 and not on mains: 1,089.

Until 31 August 2021

Every label of light bulbs and tubes contains the following information:
  • the energy efficiency category from A to G
  • the luminous flux of the bulb in lumens
  • the electricity consumption of the lamp in watts
  • the average life length in hours
According to the light bulb's electrical consumption relative to a standard, the lightbulb is in one of the following classes:
Class A is defined in a different way; hence, the variable percentage.
Since 2012 A+ and A++ classes are added and are introduced different classes for directional lamps and non-directional lamps.
Directional lamps are defined as "having at least 80% light output within a solid angle of π sr ".
These lamp classes correspond roughly to the following lamp types:
Lamp technologyEnergy class
Sodium-vapor lampsA+++...A
LED lampsA++...A
Compact fluorescent lamps with bare tubesA
Compact fluorescent lamps with bulb-shaped coverA...B
Halogen lamps with infrared coatingB
Halogen lamps with xenon gas filling, 230 VC
Conventional halogen lamps at 12–24 VC
Conventional halogen lamps at 230 VD...F
Incandescent light bulbsE...G

Since September 2009, household light bulbs must be class A, with the exception of clear lamps. For the latter category, lamps must be class C or better, with a transition period up to September 2012, and class B after September 2016.