New energy labelling
New energy label for appliances in Spain from March 2021
What a job! The dishwasher has broken down and you need to buy a new one. So you go to a store and, when checking the models on display, you see an A+ and you think it sounds pretty efficient, because you care about the environment and of course you also want to save on electricity. In addition, if the label shows a scale that goes to D, it is clear that there are others much worse: A, B, C and D. But watch out! At present, in the European market the sale of washing machines, refrigerators or dishwashers has been banned below A+, so that the washing machine which you checked is probably the least efficient that you can buy right now.
New energy labelling from March 1, 2021
The European Commission (EC) has approved new energy efficiency labelling for the following appliances: dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, lamps and electronic devices. The new labels will be simplified with a scale from A to G and the previous A+, A++ and A+++ will be obsolete from March 2021.
In a press release, the EC indicates that with some products not only information on electricity consumption will be reported, but also other data, such as water used for each wash cycle, storage capacity or noise emitted, will be provided. Also, intuitive pictograms will be included to compare products and make a better informed purchase choice.
A QR code will also be incorporated, with which consumers can obtain additional information after scanning it with a common smartphone. Manufacturers are inserting this data into the EPREL EU database, which will be available to any European citizen in the coming months. The private sector and different NGOs are also developing applications that will help with the purchase choice.
The general director of the European consumer association (BEUC) has said the following: “It was time for the energy label to be renewed because it confused consumers, who believed that their fridge or washing machine consumed less energy than it consumed. The new label will be a crucial tool to help consumers opt for the most energy efficient products and save money. However, this is only the beginning. The EU Commission must not fall asleep and must quickly change the energy label of other product groups as well.”
What is the Label 2020 project?
Label 2020 is a European project made up of 20 partners. ECODES is the Spanish partner. Its objective is to facilitate the transition to the new energy label for six product groups (washing machines, washer dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, light bulbs and televisions) and help manufacturers and stores not only to reduce the chances of confusion, but also contribute to consumers making product selection as informed as possible.
The partners that are part of Label 2020 belong to different fields: energy agencies, NGOs, consultancies... The European Commission has considered that this project can help communicate that it is necessary for the transition to the new energy label and it will be mandatory throughout the European Union (EU).
What is the objective?
The European energy labelling of products has been a played a key part in promoting innovation and the development of product technology to improve energy efficiency for more than 20 years. Labelling stimulates both parties: innovation from manufacturers and the demand for energy efficient products from consumers and purchasing managers. But the current label format, where we can find energy classes ranging from A+++ to D, has become complex and confusing, especially for the consumer. Therefore, the EU has decided to reinvent the original system with energy classes ranging from A to G, eliminating the ‘+++’ that still accompanies category A.
What will the label show in each product category, and how is that information to be interpreted?
In the upper part, the well-known horizontal bars of colours in scale from green to red will be shown, associated with a letter between A and G - with A being the most efficient and G the least efficient. At the bottom we will see pictograms that will give specific product information: noise level, refrigerator capacity, water consumption... A QR code will also be included, which consumers can scan in order to obtain additional information about the product.
Differences between light bulbs and refrigerators?
With the new labels there will be differences between the different groups of products, just as there are with the current ones. For example, in the case of washing machines, the label will inform us of the efficiency of the spin, and with televisions, of the diagonal dimensions of the screen, but only the energy consumption will appear on the bulbs. Therefore, there is precise information by product groups.
How is the new labelling distinguished from the previous one?
The main difference is the rescaling of the energy label from A to G, eliminating the A+, A++ and A+++ categories. And another important change will be that a digital database will be launched for the entire European market, so that each new product that enters the market will also have to be registered here, thus improving transparency and facilitating surveillance in the market by national authorities.
So on March 1, 2021 the new energy label has to be visible to all EC consumers, both in physical stores and in online stores for these six product groups. And yes, there will be a period of a few months in which the two labels, the new and the old, will coexist in stores.
How much can be saved in the long term with an efficient product?
If we take into account the energy and water consumption over a period of 10 years, in the case of washing machines the savings compared to a less efficient model can be up to €500; in the case of refrigerators, up to €600; and on a television, about €300.