Energilabeling

Energy labeling, or energilabeling, is a system of consumer information that presents the energy efficiency and expected energy use of products and buildings. Labels are designed to help buyers compare performance and to incentivize manufacturers to improve efficiency through market forces and policy requirements.

Labels commonly show an energy efficiency class, often on a scale from A to G (or similar), along with estimated annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours and other product-specific data such as capacity, power consumption, or noise. In some contexts, labels may include a schematic or color coding, and a QR code or link to a more detailed factsheet. The exact format and data can vary by product category and jurisdiction.

Applications include household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, air conditioners, televisions, and lighting, as well as buildings via energy performance certificates; vehicles sometimes use fuel economy or CO2 emissions labels. Labels may be mandatory at the point of sale or included in product literature and online catalogs.

Regulatory framework: Many countries require labeling for imported and domestically manufactured goods, with enforcement actions for noncompliance. The scheme is typically administered by energy or consumer protection agencies. The label may be mandatory at the point of sale and included in product documentation or online catalogs.

Impact and criticism: Studies suggest labeling can influence consumer choices and spur efficiency improvements, but challenges include label complexity, updates to the rating scale that can mislead if not communicated clearly, and varying enforcement. Over time, labeling programs have expanded to include broader efficiency metrics and, in some regions, to phase out older classes to keep the scale meaningful.