Before this, the EU Energy Label did not have to be displayed as an image in online retail. For online purchases, consumers must only be provided with the basic information specified on the label. Key criteria for decision-making are omitted, such as the colour scale or information on the best energy efficiency class in the product group.

Many consumers make their purchase decisions based on information from the Internet. As a result, the EU’s “Consumer 2020” study expects the mandatory introduction of the online label to increase the impact of the EU Label by up to 50 percent.

From 2015 on, the EU Energy Label, including the label and data sheet, must also be displayed online – initially for refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers, air conditioners, televisions, vacuum cleaners, electric lamps and lights. Water heaters and heating units will be added in subsequent phases.

For more information on the EU Energy Label and labelling energy consumption relevant products, see www.top-runner.info.

 Energy News