I. What is the ErP Energy Efficiency Directive?

The ErP Directive (2009/125/EC) replaced the earlier EuP Directive (2005/32/EC), expanding its scope from "energy-using products" to all "energy-related products." This means that any product that has an impact on energy consumption during use, including those that do not consume energy themselves but can affect energy efficiency (such as windows, faucets, showerheads, etc.), may be brought under regulation.

The core objective of this directive is to reduce the environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle of a product — from raw material acquisition, manufacturing, packaging, transportation, use, to end-of-life disposal — by imposing mandatory eco-design requirements at the product design stage. It requires manufacturers to consider factors such as energy efficiency, material consumption, hazardous substances, noise, emissions, and recyclability when designing products, thereby promoting green consumption and technological innovation.

II. Core Elements of the Energy Label (New A-G Scale)

Since 2021, the EU has introduced a new version of the energy label, phasing out the old "A+++" ratings and adopting a more intuitive seven-level scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), with significantly stricter energy efficiency requirements for each class.

A compliant energy efficiency label must include the following information:

Supplier‘s name or trademark 

Product model 

Energy efficiency class: a single letter from A to G 

Energy consumption in operating mode: e.g., kWh/1000h for lighting products, kWh/100h or kWh/year for household appliances 

QR code: when scanned, links to the EU EPREL database for detailed product compliance information 

Regulation number: e.g., (EU) 2019/2015 for lighting products

III. Main Testing Standards and Energy Efficiency Classes

The energy efficiency testing under the ErP Directive is not conducted in isolation; it is often coordinated with other EU standards (such as EN standards and IEC standards) and the EU Energy Labeling Regulation (2017/1369).

1.Key testing standards (for different product categories):

Lighting products: Testing standards include EN 62722 (luminaire performance), EN 62504 (LED lamps), and the EN 13032 series (photometry).The core indicator is the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI), which is typically calculated as the ratio of measured power to reference power. An EEI of ≤ 0.200 (current Class A) or lower.

Motors: The testing standard is IEC 60034-2-1; energy efficiency classes are classified as IE1, IE2, IE3, and IE4. Under the ErP Directive, starting from 2023, most motors with a rated output between 0.75 kW and 1000 kW must achieve the IE4 super-premium efficiency level.

Household appliances: such as washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers, with testing standards including EN 60456, EN 62552, etc. Energy efficiency labels are classified into seven levels from A to G, and are regularly revised to raise the standards.

Power supplies and chargers: The testing standard is EN 50563 (external power supplies), used to measure no-load power consumption and average efficiency. Energy efficiency levels typically refer to the EU Code of Conduct (CoC) or the U.S. ENERGY STAR program.

Computers and servers: Testing standards refer to EN 62623 and EN 62301. Evaluation is conducted through Typical Energy Consumption (TEC) profiles or Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI).

2. Classification logic for energy efficiency classes:

Unlike simple numbers, ErP energy efficiency classes are usually determined through formula calculations, linked to product functions, performance, and capacity.For example, the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) of a washing machine is based on the ratio of annual weighted energy consumption to standard annual energy consumption; the lower the value, the more energy-efficient it is.

The latest revisions to the EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulations (e.g., those initiated in 2019 and implemented from 2021 onwards) have removed the previous A+/A++/A+++ classes and simplified the scale back to A to G, in order to more clearly reflect technological progress and widen the differentiation between products.

IV. Key Risks and Precautions

Risk 1: Invalid Labels

Labels registered through unofficial channels may display an "exclamation mark" or fail to link to the EPREL database when their QR codes are scanned, which will directly result in the product being removed from the EU market.

Risk 2: Regulatory Updates

EU energy efficiency standards are dynamically updated. For example, requirements for indicators such as stroboscopic visibility measure (SVM) are becoming increasingly stringent. Companies need to continuously monitor regulatory changes to ensure ongoing product compliance.

Risk 3: Certification Confusion

ErP (Energy-related Products) and EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility, covering packaging and waste recycling) are two completely different concepts — do not confuse them.