PRESS RELEASE - 23.02.2021

From 1 March, a clearer and more reliable energy label is to appear on fridges, TV sets, dishwashers and washing machines on sale across Europe. This is the first step of a long process that will help consumers better understand how much energy their household appliances consume.

The major change is that the A+, A++ and A+++ energy efficiency classes will disappear, meaning the label will revert to its original scale from A to G. This move is the consequence of a deal that EU institutions reached in 2017 and formally adopted in 2019.

Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, commented:
“It is a victory for consumers to see the new label finally sweep over the shelves across Europe. Consumer organisations have long called on the EU to get rid of the ‘plus’ classes that had become misleading. Fewer than one in four consumers understood that an ‘A+’ fridge was the least performing on the market. As such, it was high time for a label overhaul that would make it easier for consumers to spot the most energy-efficient appliances and save money. ”

Stephen Russell, Secretary General of ANEC, commented:
“We welcome the return to the clear and straightforward message to consumers to “Buy A” but would have preferred a swifter transition in the shops. On 1 March, only five appliances that most of us own at home will get the new label. That means consumers may be confused, as the old and the new labels will coexist in shops for some time.”

Background:

• The change is not about the product’s energy consumption, it is only about its score. As a result of the rescale, an electrical appliance scoring A+++ in the current system may be classified as only a C, D or even an E appliance under the new label. This might seem confusing, but consumers need not worry. The differences between the current and the new scores are due to refined measurement methods adopted by the European Commission. In short, the ‘downgrading’ of a product’s energy class means only that the new score is more accurate and helpful.
• Here is a timeline of the rescale for the different product groups:

• Apart from the energy label revamp on 1 March 2021, new Ecodesign rules will enable consumers to benefit from products that are safer, longer lasting and easier to repair

More information:
ANEC-BEUC factsheet, The new energy label: back to the A-G label
European Commission explainer on the new energy label

BEUC is part of BELT, an EU project which helps consumers understand the new energy label. More information in this BEUC news piece.

The project BELT has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 847043. The sole responsibility for this content lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein..

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