BEUC NEWS - 25 June 2026

Yesterday, the European Commission published its Omnibus proposal on energy efficient products, to simplify the requirements of the EU energy label and further incorporating digital technologies.

The energy label continues to be one of the EU's most successful consumer tools. It helps consumers save energy while also cutting energy bills, and has played a major role in helping Europe deliver significant energy savings and emissions reductions.

Part of this success relies on how easily consumers can see it when purchasing a new product. This ensures that information on energy efficiency and other features is part of the consumer's decision-making process. And the data speaks for itself: according to Eurobarometer, 93% of consumers recognise the label, and 75% use it when purchasing a product.

What’s more, according to a 2023 BEUC study, these energy efficient appliances can save consumers several hundred euros per year in their energy bills. In 2022, at the height of the energy crisis, consumers could save up to €2,450 if equipped with top energy class appliances

So, what changes for consumers?
Consumers will have to receive the information before buying the product. This is critical as consumers often make purchase decisions based on how energy efficient a product is and how much it is likely to cost them to run.

In future, this information will not necessarily have to be through a sticker as in the past. It could also be an electronic display in the shop with the price.

For products that are not necessarily available in a shop and have to be ordered (e.g. kitchen or heating appliances), the label will have to be provided with the contractual offer.

Rules will also apply to online marketplaces so that consumers get energy efficiency information at the point of sale.