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New EU energy label for household appliances: A +++ will soon be out

2021-02-26T12:16:52.509Z


From March 1st, refrigerators, televisions and washing machines will have to carry a revised EU energy label. The new scale should make confusing designations such as A +++ a thing of the past.


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Energy label from A to G: The new scale should be clearer

Photo: Bundesregierung / Tybussek

The energy consumption of household appliances is indicated using a multi-colored scale.

This so-called energy label has now been completely revised.

From Monday, March 1st, A +, A ++ and A +++ will be a thing of the past.

Fridges and freezers, dishwashers, washing machines and televisions must now carry the new EU energy label, which has seven levels with the letters A to G - although the guide values ​​for the individual consumption levels are stricter than before.

In addition, there must be additional information on the devices - such as volume and capacity.

In addition, a QR code is required, via which further information can be called up.

The European consumer organization Beuc welcomes the innovation because customers benefit from clearer and more reliable labeling.

"To see that the new label will soon replace the old one is a victory for consumers," announced the organization.

According to your statements, there were recently no more appliances in the lower old classes, so that an "A +" refrigerator was de facto one of the most inefficient on the market.

Innovation incentive: Category A should initially not be awarded

The consumer advocates point out that there will be both old and new labels in the future because the new rules do not initially apply to all products.

They recommend only looking out for new labels when in doubt, as these are more accurate.

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The old and the new energy label next to each other: A +++ is often just a C in the new system

Photo: stromspiegel.de

The EU Commission justifies the reform by stating that more and more energy-efficient products are being developed, but the difference between the classes A ++ and A +++ »is less obvious to consumers.

The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) has a similar view: It was hardly possible to assess which types are really more efficient.

However, the comparison of old and new classes is problematic.

A conversion one to one is not possible.

Previous A +++ devices come in category C. Most top-class devices come in D and some even only manage E, according to the vzbv.

The new class A should initially remain completely empty so that manufacturers have an incentive to innovate.

New labeling only for five product groups

Initially, only five product groups will be re-labeled: refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, electronic displays and lighting.

Light bulbs and other light sources will only receive new awards from September 1st.

The consumer advocates of Beuc criticize that the new names for many devices come later.

Boilers and heaters, for example, would not have the not so new labels until 2025.

The following applies to retailers: From March onwards, the new labels must be physically attached within 14 working days and also labeled on the Internet.

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apr / dpa

Source: spiegel

All business articles on 2021-02-26

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