Revised Energy Labels - Washing machines, Washer-dryers, Dishwashers, Refrigerators & freezers, Wine storage refrigerators

Q: Will there be appliances in all the rating groups?

Initially, A-rated appliances will be very rare. Generally, B will be the highest rating. Although, with ratings spread from A to G, E and F will still be high-efficiency models and you will not see any fridge-freezers with a G rating. ‘Plus’ classes will still exist for tumble-dryers, cookers and hoods as these categories have not been included in this revision.

With most large appliances now rated A+ to A+++, improvements in energy efficient technology have prompted a rescaling of the energy ratings. The new labels will simply be rated from A to G, making it easier for customers to understand. The following are the key dates for the introduction of the new labels.

Timeline of key dates:

1st November 2020 - New labelling process started. Both old and new energy labels are supplied in the box.
1st January 2021 - UK/EU transition period ended. The new labels in the box started to carry a Union Jack, instead of the EU flag.
1st March 2021 - New labels consumer launch date. Only new labels to be supplied to customers, displayed instore and online.
1st December 2021 - Sell-by-Date. Products originally placed on the market before 1 November 2020, subsequently discontinued, will only contain an old label and cannot be sold beyond this date.

New Labelling Explained

New energy labels have been introduced for:

Dishwashers
Washing machines
Washer dryers
Fridges and freezers
Wine storage

These new labels are already appearing in product boxes and from 1st March 2021 will replace the old labels on all displays.

Why?

Major improvements in energy saving technology have raised these large household appliances to the top of the rating scale, where they are clustered from A to A+++. To create space for further advances the energy ratings have been revised. Using new measurement criteria current models will be rated simply from A to G, with no plusses, making it easier for customers to compare products and allowing the industry space to develop eco-performance. AMDEA’s toolkit aims to help the industry explain the changes to customers.

Label Gallery

The new energy labels are designed to be easier to understand for the consumer, compared to the old label, to help customers make better purchasing choices. The new measurements on the labels will be based on ‘real-life’ household usage, considering aspects like frequently used programmes and average capacities. All products subject to the new labelling (dishwashers, washing machines, washer dryers, fridges and freezers and wine storage) will share some common features:

Simple A-G scale. A+++/A+ will no longer exist
QR-Code in the upper right corner linking to a data base, accessing product’s specifications.
Energy consumption of the model now more prominently in middle section of the label.
All products will be awarded a rating for noise from A-D.
Pictograms on bottom of label characterising product features. Some are the same as in the old label, a few are new or have been revised to reflect new testing or measurement methods.

Washing Machines

Washer-Dryers

Dishwashers

Refrigerators & Freezers

Wine Storage Refrigerators

FAQs - AMDEA’S ENERGY LABELLING TOOLKIT

Q - Why are the changes taking place?

To make room for further advances in technology and efficiency. The majority of appliances on the market are already A+ to A+++, meaning that almost all appliances are clustered at the top of the energy rating scale.

Q - What are the changes on the energy labels?

The efficiency rating bands have been rescaled and revert to A to G, with no plusses. With ratings spread from B to G comparison will be easier for customers.

Q - Which large domestic appliances are affected?

Washing machines, washer-dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators/freezers and wine coolers.

Q - When are the changes coming into effect?

From the 1 November there will already be a second new label in the box, although the existing label will still be the one on display in shops and online.

Q - Will there be appliances in all the rating groups?

Initially A rated appliances will be very rare. Generally, B will be the highest rating. Although, with ratings spread from A to G, E and F will still be high efficiency models and you will not see any fridge-freezers with a G rating. ‘Plus’ classes will still exist for tumble-dryers, cookers and hoods as these categories have not been included in this revision.

Q - What if a customer asks why there is a second label in the box showing a different energy rating to the one purchased?

The second label will take effect on the 1 March. To ensure that this can happen it is a legal requirement that it be available in the box for four months before that.

Q - When will customers first see the changes?

1 March 2021, only the new labels will be on display in shops and online.

Q - What are the key changes?

Washing machines and washer dryers have a new ‘Eco 40 – 60’ programme which provides the best energy and water efficiency. There is a QR code on the label which will allow the customer to check the key technical characteristics of the model. These specifications have been registered on a European database to which the unique QR code is linked. Some of the pictograms or icons have changed slightly and the consumption values represented by the rating bands A to G have been rescaled. There is also a new rating for noise in addition to the number of decibels.

Q - How might Brexit affect what happens?

There will be no changes to the content of the new label, or the performance standards it represents, although the Government has announced that it will carry a Union Jack instead of the EU flag. The labels on tumble dryers, ovens and cooker hoods although not yet affected by the new rating scales, will also carry a Union Jack instead of the EU flag.

Q - What is Ecodesign?

Ecodesign is the regulation that stipulates product requirements to increase energy efficiency and minimise environmental impact. The energy label is the tool that illustrates the achievement of these performance requirements to the consumer.

Q - Which are the other key ecodesign benefits for customers?

They define the washing and rinsing efficiency of washing machines and the drying efficiency of dishwashers. The ecodesign regulations require all washing machines and dishwashers to have an eco-cycle. In the interests of resource efficiency there are also new stipulations to cover availability of spare parts and access to repair information for professional repairers.

Eco-Efficiency Achievements

Improvements in energy saving technology over the last decade have driven the revision of the energy labels. Dramatic reductions in energy consumption in production and use has been coupled with impressive recovery and recycling rates. This tells the whole-life story of the industry’s savings achievements over the decade.