AG energy labeling: features and benefits – Sicom Testing

A valuable tool for consumers and businesses for twenty-five years, theEU energy labelling presents itself as an effective and clear guide for the purchase and division into classes of highly energy efficient products. Since 1995, in fact, the 85% of European consumers recognizes it and uses it at the time of purchase. To date, as is known, this system has been updated from the A +++ / G scheme to the scheme that extends from A to G, in order to acquire greater effectiveness.

The labeling scheme which was also oriented thanks to the "+" symbol, in fact, seemed to be affected by the progressive development of increasingly energy efficient products, so much so as to move towards a saturation of classes A +, A ++ and A +++. For example - the European Commission announces in the document "European energy labels: rescaling and transition periods” – well beyond the 90% of the refrigerators and washing machines sold in 2017 were higher than class A. The rescaling operation, therefore, responds to the need to leave greater possibility of classification for future products, characterized by technological improvements, while at the same time helping consumers and buyers to have a clearer overview of the market, distinguishing the best products in a more transparent way.

Product groups and label application

The new labeling system concerns five product groups; these are domestic refrigerators and freezers; washing machines and washer-dryers; dishwasher; TVs and displays; light sources. For refrigeration appliances (commercial refrigerators and freezers), a completely new type of labeling will be designed by the EU, dedicated to the professional retail sector and not for private consumers.

However, EU regulations relating to product groups such as air conditioners, dryers, vacuum cleaners and water heaters are currently being designed. For these groups, involvement in terms of the labeling system is expected from 2022 onwards.

The strengths of the AG labeling system

The European Union has perfected the labeling system - introduced in physical and digital shops starting from 1 March 2021 - with a view to oriented towards user needs. This has meant that new measurement methods have been implemented for calculate the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) with more stringent parameters that could provide even more precise results.

The most interesting feature on a systemic level is certainly the inclusion – in the top right corner of the label – of a QR code which allows the viewing of product information contained inEuropean Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL). The database is available to buyers, retailers and – of course – market surveillance authorities, consisting of a public section and a dedicated compliance section.

The tests required to determine the energy efficiency index depend on the type of product to be evaluated and are described by European regulations subject to updates and evolutions. These tests are carried out as part of the CE certification of the products and are referred to in the EU declaration of conformity.

Market surveillance with EPREL

As far as market surveillance is concerned, EPREL presents itself as a great facilitation of activities. In his document “New energy efficiency labels explained”, in fact, the European Commission reports that 10-25% products on the market do not fully comply with energy efficiency labeling regulations and that approximately 10% potential energy savings are lost due to non-compliance. This is due, at least in part, to the difficult application of very long and complex control processes by national market surveillance authorities.

As mentioned, EPREL is divided into one public section and in a section relating to compliance control. As regards the public part, the traceable data are the name or brand, the address, the contact details and other legal identifiers of the supplier, the model that identifies the product, the energy label in electronic format, the efficiency class energy and the product technical data sheet in electronic format.

As far as the section reserved for market surveillance authorities the technical documentation includes a general description of the product - aimed at identifying it uniquely - references to the measurement standards used, particular precautions relating to the use or assembly of the product, the technical parameters measured and the calculations connected to this. A quick and easy to access tool, therefore, in the conformity control processes of products on the European market; a newfound clarity in the labeling system which continues to act as a balance to guide consumer choices.

Companies producing or importing products subject to energy labeling can turn to specialized testing laboratories, such as Sicom Testing, for this topic and for carrying out all the other tests required by the CE certification.