Citation

Directive 92/75/EEC of 22 September 1992 on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances. Published in Official Journal L297, 13 October 1992.

Purpose

The Energy Labelling Directive 92/75/EEC is one of a series of measures introduced by The European Commission under their programme of consumer and environmental protection. The overall programme goes under the title 'Specific Actions for Vigorous Energy Efficiency (SAVE)'. The original framework for this programme is set out under Council Directive 91/565/EEC. Other measures include the Hot Water Boiler Efficiency Directive (92/42/EEC), Directive 93/76/EEC which requires member states to introduce other measures intended to limit carbon dioxide emissions, and Directive 96/57/EC on energy efficiency requirements for household electric refrigerators, freezers and combinations.

The Energy Labelling Directive requires that appliances be labelled to show their power consumption in such a manner that it is possible to compare the efficiency with that of other makes and models. The intention is that consumers will prefer more energy efficient appliances over those with a higher consumption, resulting in less efficient products eventually being withdrawn or decommissioned.

The Directive is not actually one of the 'New Approach' or 'CE marking' directives. However, the appliances covered by the subsidiary directives are also covered under other CE marking directives (e.g. the Low Voltage and EMC directives) and must therefore be marked with the CE logo. Since CE marking a product is not permitted unless it complies with all the directives which apply to it, it follows that CE marked appliances must also comply with the Energy Labelling Directive.

Requirements

The Energy Labelling Directive is what is known as a 'framework directive' in that it does not of itself specify any limits or performance levels. It provides a legislative framework into which other directives can be introduced to require marking and performance levels for particular types of domestic appliance.

Under the subsidiary directives, appliances must be marked to show their maximum energy consumption. Consumption figures are based on a series of equations given in the appropriate directive.

Appliances affected

Subsidiary directives affecting the following appliances have been enacted:

• Washing machines (95/12/EEC, ref. OJ(L) 136, 21/06/95, amended by 96/89/EC ref OJ(L) 388, 28/12/96)

• Electric tumble dryers (95/13/EEC, ref. OJ(L) 136, 21/06/95)

• Combined washer-dryers (96/60/EEC, ref. OJ(L) 266, 18/10/96)

• Light bulbs (98/11/EEC, ref OJ(L) 71, 10/3/98)

• Dishwashers (1999/9/EC, ref. OJ(L) 56, 4/3/1999)

• Electric ovens (2002/40/EC, ref OJ(L) 128, 15/5/2002)

• Air-conditioners (2002/31/EC, ref. OJ(L) 86, 3/4/2002)

• Refrigerators and freezers and combinations (2003/66/EC, ref. OJ(L) 170, 9/7/2003)

Links to these documents can be found in the Europa energy labelling page.

Conformity assessment and enforcement

The Directives are based solely on self-assessment by the manufacturer although supporting documentation will be required. The current main EU Labelling schemes are the EU Energy Label for household equipment, the Energy Star for office equipment and the Ecolabel for products and services.

Since the Directives are about the product information provided by manufacturers, the implementing regulations fall within existing consumer protection legislation dealing with the description of goods by those selling them, and enforcement is dealt with in the same way as for other retail complaints (i.e. by the Trading Standards Services in the UK).

Exclusions

Currently the Directives in general apply only to appliances for domestic household use. Appliances intended for commercial use are excluded, as are bespoke systems manufactured for a particular application.

Future developments

A proposal for a new framework Labelling Directive is currently under discussion that encompasses all energy-related products including household, commercial and industrial sectors, and some non-energy using products such as windows which have a significant potential to save energy once in use or installed.

DEFRA have opened a consultation that closes on 4 September 2009 that covers the implementation of the market surveillance and enforcement of the EuP and Energy Labelling Directives and increases the enforcement options for both.

Useful links

The European Commission has a general web page on the Energy Labelling of Domestic Appliances and one on the Energy Labelling Directive, containing links to all relevant publications and consultations.

A summary of the Directive can be found on Europa’s website, which also contains a list of links to the Commission Directives that form the Implementing Rules.

Further information

For further information or assistance with CE marking your products, please contact us at Conformance and we will be pleased to do what we can to help.

HELP LINE +44 (0)1298 873800

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