Energy Labelling Directive revision
Energy labelling aims to allow customers to make informed choices based on the energy consumption of products. Improving the energy efficiency products through informed customer choice benefits the EU economy, reduces energy demand and saves customers money on energy bills, contributes to innovation and investment in energy efficiency, and enables industries which develop and produce the most energy efficient products to gain a competitive advantage.
As part of the revised EU Energy Labelling Framework Regulation, the Commission will establish a product registration database by 1 January 2019 at the latest. This will be applicable for all energy labelled products. The database will have a section for consumers and dealers that provides information on product conformity. Technical documentation in a compliance part of the database will be available to market surveillance authorities and the Commission. Registration is mandatory for all products placed on the market after the date of entry into force of the regulation. The database will also provide the Commission with up-to-date energy efficiency information for products for reviewing energy labels. Full details of information that must be submitted to each part of the database are available in the regulation.
The Commission is establishing an Ecodesign Consultation Forum sub-group (ECF-SG) on the Product Registration Database for Energy Labelling, structured in three platforms:
- Suppliers: focusing on aspects related to data import, validation, and technical documentation;
- Compliance: focusing on aspects of market surveillance, technical documentation, and the link with the existing ICSMS (Information and Communication System on Market Surveillance); and
- Public: focusing on aspects of accessibility and usability of data by the dealers and the general public.
The revised Directive also has information on rescaling of labels. In the future, rescaling is due to occur every 10 years and a newly rescaled label should leave the top energy class empty to encourage technical progress. Before rescaling the Commission should carry out a preparatory study. During the rescaling process existing and rescaled labels will be supplied to dealers for a certain period and the transition period for rescaled labels to be made available should be short.
If you would like further information on energy labelling please contact us at RD&T (j.a.evans@rdandt.co.uk).