In order to make electrical appliances comparable in terms of their energy efficiency within the EU, the EU energy label was introduced in 1995. Using a rating scale, which initially ranged from class A to G, consumers can compare products and reduce their energy consumption by buying a more efficient product.

Due to the ever improving energy efficiency of electrical appliances, classes A+ to A+++ were added to the classification system in 2010, while classes E to G were more or less dropped. Since this classification, which is still valid today, leads to more confusion instead of transparency for many consumers, the EU has decided to give the energy classification system an update. This means that all affected products will be 'downgraded' and rated from A to G using the old rating scale.

However, not only refrigerators, washing machines and televisions are affected by the regulation, but also lamps, among others. Strictly speaking, all light sources, i.e. lamps and luminaires whose light sources cannot be removed, must be provided with an energy label if their luminous flux is between 60 and 82,000 lumens. However, there are exceptions such as special lamps (e.g. UV/IR and signal lamps), battery-operated lamps and modules, and luminaires with replaceable light sources.

The new system will come into force on 01 September 2021. From then on, lamp sellers have an 18-month transition period to update their labels. So anyone who still has got products with the old label in the warehouse on 01 March 2023 will have to paste it over if necessary.
Since 25 December 2019, on the other hand, luminaires with replaceable light sources no longer need an energy label.

Another new feature is a QR code on the energy label. By scanning the QR code, you can quickly and easily obtain additional information on the product, which must be maintained in detail by the respective manufacturer in the European product database ('EPREL') from 01.05.2021.

More information about the EU energy label and its changes can be found here.