Energy labelling and ecodesign for appliances
It is mandatory for all manufacturers and importers of appliances to follow ecodesign and energy labelling regulations when placing appliances on the EU market. Learn more about the relevant regulations to ensure compliance.
The European Union (EU) requirements for energy labelling and ecodesign pave the way for more energy efficient products to enter the market. These requirements have been established through the EU Energy Labelling Regulations, the EU Ecodesign Directive and relevant product-specific regulation.
Your obligations for energy labelling
Under EU energy labelling rules, manufacturers and importers of appliances are legally required to:
- provide retailers and consumers with an energy label and product information sheet (also sometimes called product fiche) for each product unit placed on the market in the EU
- ensure the accuracy of the energy label and product information sheet
- enter the relevant information in the public and compliance parts of the product database (EPREL) before placing a unit of a new model on the market
- keep information concerning a product model for ten years after the last date of placement of units on the market
- display energy-related information (label and product information sheet) when products are sold directly to consumers or advertised on websites, brochures, etc.
- Following a European Court of Justice ruling in October 2023, the European Commission published a notice in relation to the display of energy-related information within visual advertisements and technical promotional material for non-rescaled products. Additional guidance and resources (such as nested display design files) are available on the European Commission website.
Product list
Energy labelling and ecodesign requirements apply to the following categories of appliances:
- refrigeration appliances
- cooking appliances
- dishwashers
- washing machines and washer-dryers
- tumble dryers
- vacuum cleaners (ecodesign only)
Links to regulations and detailed energy labelling and ecodesign requirements for each product category can be found below:
Refrigeration appliances
- Household fridges, freezers and wine storage
- Professional refrigerated storage cabinets
- Refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function
Kitchen appliances
Recent updates
Some updated maximum energy efficiency index (EEI) values and functional requirements are to be applied from the 1st of March 2024.
These changes will impact manufacturers and importers of refrigerating appliances, dishwashers, washing machines, and washer-dryers of certain energy efficiency classes.
The MSA is reminding manufacturers and importers to ensure they understand the new requirements, and how they can affect existing and upcoming supply chain arrangements.
SEAI has issued a notice to guide economic operators to follow these updates. To get more info click on the link below:
The European Commission is gradually replacing the old label format (with a blue border) with the new rescaled energy label (ranging from A to G only) for all products categories.
Since 1st March 2021 a new rescaled energy label (ranging from A to G only) is used for the following appliances:
- household refrigerators and freezers
- refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function
- washing machines and washer dryers
- dishwashers
UK energy labels are not valid in the EU. SEAI has created a statement to provide clear guidance to economic operators on the provision or display of UK energy labels in the Republic of Ireland and the European Single Market.
Product specific regulations are frequently updated. This ensures that energy labelling and ecodesign requirements keep up with the current market and ongoing technological upgrades.
The following product categories are currently under review by the European Commission:
- cooking appliances
- tumble dryers
- vacuum cleaners
The role of ecodesign
The Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) and product-specific regulation set the EU rule for ecodesign. Generally, these regulation cover the following:
- energy efficiency requirements
- functional requirements
- resource efficiency (spare parts, repair) and information requirements (user manual, website and other literature provided with the product)
- anti-circumvention requirements for testing
- off mode and/or standby mode requirements where applicable
The EU legislation on ecodesign is an effective tool for improving the environmental performance of products by setting mandatory minimum standards for their energy efficiency. This eliminates the worst-performing products from the market, significantly contributing to the EU's energy and climate targets.
Market surveillance campaign reports
As the MSA, we regularly conduct campaigns on product categories available on the Irish market. Results from campaigns in the appliance category can be found in the summary reports below:
Have questions?
If you have any questions about energy labelling and ecodesign in Ireland, our team is here to help. Contact a member of the MSA to learn more about EU requirements.
Call: 01 8082100
Email: [email protected]