Today, we face the challenges of climate change, and it is important that we all take steps to reduce our impact on the environment. One of the key One of the tools that helps us do this is energy labelling of products. This system, introduced by the European Union in the 1990s, has since expanded significantly and covers a wide range of products.

The role of energy labelling

The energy label and product information sheet serve several purposes:

• They promote the sale of energy-efficient products.
• They help the consumer make an informed purchasing decision.
• They provide information about energy consumption and how it helps reduce energy bills.

For consumers, they provide labels objective and comparable information on energy consumption, environmental and performance factors. They help customers choose products that use less energy and other resources such as water, resulting in lower costs during use. Sources state that 85% of consumers use the energy label when making purchases.

Energy efficiency and climate change

The transition to more energy-efficient products has direct positive impact on climate changeThe sources explicitly state that by choosing energy-efficient products consumers help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissionsIncreased energy efficiency is a key element in Ireland's transition towards a clean energy future. Energy labelling has led to significant improvements in the energy efficiency of products.

What products have energy labels?

Energy labelling applies to a variety of products that are typically sold in electrical and hardware stores. These include, for example:

• Range hoods
• Domestic ovens
• Washing machines and washer-dryers
• Dryers
• Televisions and monitors
• Smartphones and tablets
• Dishwashers
• Lighting products
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Electric showers
• Stoves (local space heaters)

Each energy label provides specific information for a given type of product, but all labels carry information about the brand, model and energy efficiency class. They always include energy consumption information, which gives the number of kilowatt hours (kWh) used per year, hour or cycle under specified operating conditions. This information allows consumers to estimate running costs. For example, a comparison of two refrigerators showed that the D-rated model used 139 kWh less per year than the F-rated model, which at a rate of 35c per kWh meant a saving of €48.65 per year. These cost savings directly correlate with reduced energy consumption and therefore reduced emissions.

Responsibilities and visibility

The EU Energy Labelling Regulation (EU 2017/1369) sets out the responsibilities of suppliers (manufacturers and importers) and sellers (retailers). Retailers must ensure that every product they sell has a clearly visible energy label, for example placed on the front or top of the product displayed for sale. A common cause of non-compliance is the failure to display the energy labels provided. The label must be visible on all products that are on sale, whether packaged or unpackaged. Incorrect display of the label can include a missing, covered, damaged label or a label in the wrong place (e.g. at the back). In the case of integrated appliances such as refrigerators or dishwashers in a kitchen unit, it is sufficient if the label is visible inside the unit when opened.

In an effort to simplify things for consumers, the EU is gradually introducing changes to labelling, with some products being assigned new energy efficiency classes from A to G instead of the original classes up to A+++. Relabelling of products in stock was mandatory for retailers, for example for lighting products, by 1 April 2023, with the old label having to be completely covered by the new one.

Energy labelling is not only a legal requirement, but also an important tool in the fight against climate change. It allows consumers consciously choose products that will reduce their energy consumption and thus their carbon footprintBy supporting sales and displaying energy labels correctly, retailers play a key role in boosting consumer confidence and encouraging more sustainable purchasing decisions. Every energy saving we make at home through energy-efficient appliances contributes to reducing energy demand and, in turn, greenhouse gas emissions, helping our society transition to a cleaner energy future. Spring

Document "A Retailer's Guide to Energy Labelling."

Glossary of key terms

• SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland): The Irish National Energy Authority responsible for ensuring compliance with energy labelling and ecodesign regulations in the Irish market.
• EU Energy Labelling Regulation (EU 2017/1369): EU legislation setting out the responsibilities of suppliers (manufacturers and importers) and sellers (retailers) regarding energy labelling.
• EU Ecodesign Directive: An EU directive that sets minimum requirements for energy efficiency and other environmental criteria for products.
• Market Surveillance Authority (MSA): The body responsible for verifying compliance with the Energy Labelling Regulations. SEAI acts as the MSA in Ireland.
• Supplier: According to the EU Energy Labelling Regulation, the manufacturer, importer or their authorised representative.
• Seller: According to the EU Energy Labelling Regulation, the retailer.
• Energy label: A visual label providing information about the energy efficiency, power consumption and other performance factors of a product.
• Product information sheet: A document providing detailed technical and energy information about a product.
• EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labelling): A European register in which manufacturers or importers must register information about their products requiring energy labelling.
• kWh (kilowatt hour): A unit of measurement of electrical energy used to express the energy consumption of products.
• Rescaled labels: A newer version of the energy label that uses a simpler energy efficiency scale from A to G, replacing older ranges that went above A+.
• Light source: A product whose light source cannot be easily removed (e.g. a light bulb, a lamp with built-in LEDs).
• Product containing: A product designed to contain an easily removable light source (e.g. a table lamp into which a light bulb can be inserted).
• Integrated products: Appliances (e.g. refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines) designed to be built into a kitchen unit or other structure.
• Demonstration products: Products displayed for demonstration purposes and not currently offered for sale.