EU's new energy labels for lighting come into force
Due to vast improvements to the energy efficiency of lightbulbs and other lighting products on the market in recent years, a new version of the EU energy label has come into force.
The changes come in the wake of energy label changes for four other categories of electrical appliances that have been benefitting from the new energy label since 1 March this year: fridges, freezers, washing machines, ovens, and TV sets.
The biggest change is the removal of the A+, A++ and A+++ classes, which have appeared more and more frequently on the energy label recently, largely as a result of these improvements to efficiency.
The label will revert to the popular A-G scale, as suggested by consumer groups. Most appliances were grouped in the '+' classes, thus leaving lower classes empty and making the label meaningless.
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The stricter measurement method means that a lamp previously ranking A++ may be downgraded to D for example, as found by Belgian consumer group Test Achats.
This does not mean the lamp has become less efficient. The new ranking simply reflects the present state-of-the-art and leaves room for future innovative products to populate the A-class.
The change was welcomed by the European Consumer Organisation BEUC. "Shoppers get much clearer information on the energy performance of dishwashers, ovens, fridges, and TV screens - and now lamps," said Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC: "At a time when more environmentally friendly consumption is growing on many minds, this is excellent news. We're looking forward to 2025 when the old energy label will be history."
EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said: "Our lamps and other lighting products have become so much more efficient in the recent years that more than half of LEDs are now in the A++ class. Updating the labels will make it easier for consumers to see what are the ‘best in class’ products, which in turn will help them to save energy and money on their bills. Using more energy-efficient lighting will continue to reduce the EU greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to becoming climate-neutral by 2050.”
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