The Energy Labelling Regulations set out the national rules which implement the EU Directive on Energy Labelling. The rules are the same for all EU Member States and are controlled by the Directive which establishes a framework for the provision of labelling and other information to be provided for new energy-using products at the point of sale.

The regulations are in place to ensure consumers are provided with comparable information relating to the amount of energy and other resources a product consumes during use and aims to promote energy efficiency and more responsible use of energy by consumers. Consumers must be provided with an energy label showing the energy rating of the product and a product fiche providing standard information relating to the product at the point of sale.

Under the regulations, EU delegated acts which set out the specific requirements for each category of product are in place for the majority of household appliances. The following products are currently covered by the regulations:

1. Household Lamps (Light bulbs) and Luminaires (Light Fittings)
2. Electric Ovens
3. Air Conditioners
4. Refrigerating Appliances (Fridges & Freezers)
5. Dishwashers
6. Washing Machines
7. Washer Dryers
8. Tumble Dryers
9. Televisions

Click on the above links to see the requirements specific to each product category. To download the full list of product requirements please click here.

The regulations place a number of obligations of the retailers (dealers) and manufacturers / distributors (suppliers) of regulated products. A Guide to the Energy Labelling Regulations can be downloaded here.

Responsibilities of Retailers

The retailer must ensure that:

1. For each regulated product a retailer must:
   i) display an energy label relating to the product properly and in a visible and legible manner, and
   ii) Make the product fiche available in the product brochure or other literature that accompanies the product when sold to end users
   
2. A retailer must make the necessary documentation and records available for inspection purposes by an Authorised Officer for a period ending 5 years after the last product concerned was sold. 
   

Responsibilities of Manufacturers and Suppliers 

1. A manufacturer (to include distributor, importer or person who places the product on the Irish market) shall supply a label and a fiche for each regulated product.
   
2. A manufacturer shall produce technical documentation whihc is sufficient to enable the accuracy of the information contained in the label and fiche to be assessed. That documentation shall include:
   i) A general description of the product
   ii) Where relevant, the results of design calculations carried out
   iii) Test reports, where available
   iv) Where values have been used for similiar models, the references allowing for the identification of those models
   
3. A manufacturer shall make the technical documentation available for inspection purposes by an Authorised Officer for a period ending 5 years after the last product concerned was manufactured.
   
4. A manufacturer shall make an electronic version of the technical documentation available on receipt of a request from an Authorised Officer.
   
5. A manufacturer shall supply the label free of charge to the retailer.
   
6. A manufacturer shall include a product fiche in all product brochures. Where product brochures are not provided by the manufacturer, the fiche shall be supplied with any other documentation supplied with the product.
   
7. A manufacturer shall ensure the accuracy of the labels and fiches they supply and are deemed to have given consent to the publication of the information provided in the label or the fiche.

Enforcement of the Energy Labelling Regulations

Enforcement of the Energy Labelling Regulations is undertaken by the Ecodesign and Labelling Market Surveillance Authority (ELMS) in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The role of ELMS is to monitor regulated products to ensure that they comply with the necessary provisions and, when necessary, take enforcement actions to ensure that non-compliant products are brought into compliancy. Further information on market surveillance can be found by clicking here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click on the links below for a list of Frequently Asked Questions on the Energy Labelling Regulations

1. General Information
2. Information for Retailers
3. Information for Manufacturers & Suppliers

Contact Information:

For further information on the Energy Labelling Regulations please contact:

Ecodesign & Labelling Market Surveillance Authority
Energy Efficiency & Affordability Division
Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources
29 - 31 Adelaide Road
Dublin 2

Telephone: 1800 303631
Email: energy.efficiency@dcenr.gov.ie

Click here to send us a message.