EU energy labels and EPREL: what online sellers must do

The energy label is the coloured A to G scale on the box. In the EU it is backed by a database, and the database comes first.

Which products need a label

GOV.UK lists the product groups the rules cover, among them:

• dishwashers, washing machines and washer-dryers
• fridges and freezers
• tumble dryers
• ovens and range hoods
• electronic displays, including televisions
• lighting products
• air conditioners and comfort fans
• heaters and water heaters
• ventilation units

In the EU, smartphones and slate tablets joined the list on June 20, 2025. Their label also shows battery life, drop resistance and, for the first time on any product, a repairability class.

Step one: register in EPREL

EPREL is the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling. The European Commission says suppliers must register each model there before they place it on the EU market.

Three kinds of business can register:

• a manufacturer based in the EU
• an importer
• an authorised representative of a manufacturer based outside the EU

A factory or brand in China cannot register on its own. It needs an EU importer or an authorised representative.

Once the model is registered, EPREL generates the label and the product information sheet. Before your launch date only you can see them, so you can print the label for the box in time.

Step two: the label in the box

Each unit must come with a printed label and a product information sheet. The label’s QR code leads to the model’s record in EPREL.

Step three: the label on your listing

The European Commission sets out what online shops must show:

• the energy label and product information sheet, close to the price
• the same wherever the product appears, list views included
• in place of the full label, a coloured arrow with the energy class and the range of classes, if a click or mouse-over opens the full label
• the arrow in the same font size as the price

Suppliers pass the EPREL registration number to the shops that sell the product. Online shops can then pull the label and the sheet straight from EPREL.

Great Britain is different

Great Britain uses its own label, under the Energy Information Regulations 2011. GOV.UK says the GB label must carry:

• the UK flag
• English text
• where it applies, a QR code linking to the model information on a public website

GOV.UK offers a Create an energy label service for GB labels. Northern Ireland follows the EU label and uses EPREL.

The supplier must keep the technical documentation that shows the label is accurate. GOV.UK says to keep it for 15 years after you stop making the product.

Before you start

The label shows measured values, so you need test data first. If you do not have it, our product testing service arranges the tests.

Selling from outside the EU? Ask us whether our EU Rep service can take the representative’s role in EPREL for your models.

Then our energy label service prepares the label and the product information sheet for each market. VAT+ is your contact for all three.