Energy labelling: Which products does it apply to?
If you manufacture or sell certain household electrical equipment you must label it with its energy efficiency rating. Known as the Energy Label (EL), household electrical products that you must label include:
- air conditioners and comfort fans
- dishwashers
- domestic ovens, hobs and range hoods
- electronic displays including televisions
- lighting products
- local space heaters
- professional refrigerated storage cabinets, blast cabinets, condensing units and process chillers
- refrigerating appliances
- refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function
- smart phones (mobile phones, tablets etc)
- solid fuel boilers
- solid fuel local space heaters
- space heaters
- household tumble driers
- ventilation units
- washing machines and washer-dryers
- water heaters, hot water storage tanks and packages of water heater and solar device.
EL labels must show how energy efficient the appliance is and how much electricity the product uses in kilowatt hours.
The Energy label has been improved as the older EL which ranged from A+++ to G has become less effective.
The new EL which appeared in shops and online from March 2021 features a simpler range: A to G.
Ratings run from A-G, with A the most efficient (a green label) and G the least efficient (a red label).
The Energy labelling scheme is set to grow so you should consider fulfilling the scheme's requirements from the start of product design.
Further information
- Guidance, post Brexit, from the department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy
- Read the detailed guidance from the National Measurement Office (NMO) on the GOV.UK website.