Energy labels for home electronics help consumers compare energy consumption
Updated August 20, 2026
The purpose of the European Union energy label is to help compare the energy consumption of electrical appliances. Energy labels make it easier to understand how much energy each appliance uses, so you can choose more energy-efficient devices for your home and save on your electricity bill.
New energy label simplifies comparison
Energy labels were updated on March 1, 2021 for some home electronics, with the rest to be updated in the coming years. During the transition period lasting several years, both old and new energy labels will be used. The updated energy labels were first introduced for refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, washer-dryers, wine coolers, and televisions and displays. Note that the formula behind the energy class has been updated, so old and new labels are not directly comparable.
How did the energy label change?
In recent years, more and more appliances have received A+, A++, and A+++ energy ratings as energy efficiency has improved. The plus classes made comparisons more difficult and removed manufacturers' incentive to improve product energy efficiency, which is why the gradual phase-out of plus classes began in 2021.
New Energy Label Scale
The new energy labeling system returns to the green-to-red A–G scale, where A-class products are the most energy-efficient and G-class products are the least energy-efficient. After rescaling, the most efficient products currently available will initially be in energy class B or C, leaving room for new innovations and the development of even more energy-efficient products.
Features to Help Your Purchase Decision and QR Code
Energy labels now also provide other helpful information depending on the product, such as water consumption, program duration, and noise level.
New energy labels also include a QR code. By scanning the code, you can access additional product information directly from the EPREL product database.
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