Energy labelling requirements

If you manufacture or sell certain household electrical appliances you must label your products clearly with their energy efficiency rating to help consumers maker better informed decisions. See the NetRegs guidance: Energy labelling: which products does it apply to?

Rules for Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

From 1 January 2021, energy labelling requirements in England, Scotland, and Wales were updated.  Products newly placed on the market from this date require a UK energy label.  Dealers must also display the label clearly in store and online.

From 1 March 2021, legislation introduced new re-scaled energy labels using a simpler A to G rating scale. This replaces the old A+++, A++, and A+ categories to improve clarity for consumers. The UK energy label must reflect this updated scale.

Suppliers must provide dealers with access to these re-scaled labels before placing products on the market. Dealers have 14 working days from 1 March 2021 (or product placement) to display the correct label. The following product types are currently subject to this re-scaling:

  • dishwashers
  • washing machines and washer-dryers
  • domestic refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage fridges
  • electronic displays, including televisions monitors and digital signage displays

GOV.UK: Create an Energy Label

Rules for Northern Ireland (NI)

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol businesses placing products on the NI market must continue to comply with the EU energy labelling regulations. This means:

  • You must use the EU energy label, not the UK version
  • You must comply with the EU ecodesign and energy labelling regulations, including updated EU rescaling rules
  • EU product databases and documentation (for example, EPREL) must be used where required

Products placed on the NI market must:

  • Bear the EU energy label with the EU flag
  • Meet the relevant EU product information and registration rules
  • Continue to use the CE marking (UKCA marking is not valid in NI)

Businesses trading in both GB and NI must ensure the correct label and conformity markings are used for each market.

Energy label requirements for all

Whether in GB or NI, if you:

  • Hire out electrical appliances
  • Operate hire-purchase schemes
  • Sell via a catalogue, online, or mail order

You must display the energy efficiency label and provide energy usage information (for example, in kilowatt hours).

Second hand goods are exempt.

Some exemptions also apply based on the products size, power rating, or function.

What energy information must you provide?

  • The energy efficiency class (A-G)
  • Annual energy consumption
  • Other performance characteristics as required
  • The label must be in English for GB and in the relevant EU language for NI.

Manufacturers must retain this information for at least five years after production ends.

Further information

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