In May 2022, the European Commission officially launched public access to the EPREL database. This platform transforms the way European consumers compare energy-related products. Consequently, producers and importers are required to comply with EPREL reporting duties before placing their products on the EU markets.
EPREL is the European Product Registry for Energy Labeling. As the name suggests, it is an organized collection of information about products sold in the European Union (EU). Essentially, consumers can compare energy efficiency and performance between similar products. In particular, products receive an overall grade in the form of an EU Energy Label. Accordingly, consumers of European energy-related goods can easily access the online database to make informed decisions about their favorite products.
The energy labeling product registry contains a broad range of information about large categories of products, such as:
EPREL allows for fairness and transparency between clients and businesses.
First and foremost, the online database allows consumers to make eco-responsible decisions when choosing a product. Indeed, gathering energy usage information about a product is often crucial. For example, a customer may have doubts about purchasing an expensive refrigerator. By checking the EPREL database, one can compare the energy consumption of several fridges on the market. Consequently, the customer can determine whether a particular fridge saves money in the long run.
EPREL offers tools to European customers to make informed purchases. Anyone can compare and identify products that best match their specific needs before purchase.
EPREL is also a valuable tool for businesses. Importantly, it provides a platform for companies to register their products in the EU market, while facilitating brand trust and standardizing technical documentation.
Essentially, EPREL helps authorities harmonize and structure products into one database. Therefore, a company that meets eco-friendly standards is publicly identifiable, thanks to this registry.
Important product classes include:
The European Commission is responsible for gathering all data concerning products sold in its territory. Thus, a sub-branch of the Commission oversees the approval of products to the database. Under the ErP Framework, Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 lays out the foundation for energy labelling.
Following this, separate documents handle the specifics of different product classes. With the advent of the ESPR Framework, products will often have a digital product passport (described in (EU) 2024/1781) regardless of energy-labeling requirements. As the rollout continues, ErP product classes will likely inform those in ESPR.
Subscription to EPREL is mandatory for anyone trading in-scope products within the EU.
First, companies must visit the European Commission website and submit their product information. Those registered to the database before 2021 must first update their application. Indeed, the company must submit a fresh request to EPREL, and the Commission issues an energy label with a QR code. As a result, customers can scan QR codes on their mobile phones to access product information.
Here are four easy steps to register your product:
A company wishing to submit its products to EPREL must first create an account on the European Commission website.
After creating its account, a company must confirm the provided e-mail and follow a link to create a password.
The user then needs to authenticate their credentials to access the EPREL platform. Once completed, they must declare their organization in the system and fill in the general information section.
After receiving a “Verified” status, the company can now post its products on the EPREL web page. Consequently, the products and their descriptions will then be publicly accessible.
Your company has developed a powerful dishwasher.
To secure immediate ErP compliance, you would consult Directive 2009/125/EC (Ecodesign Directive) and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 (for Energy Labelling). These documents provide a basis for understanding the framework. Following this, you would proceed to Regulation (EU) 2019/2017, which deals with household dishwashers. Among the information you find there, Annex III presents the required energy label, its official design, and the information it must contain. Continuing through the annexes will give further details, such as:
To ensure ongoing compliance during the transition to ESPR you would also review (EU) 2024/1781, which provides the basis for that framework. Particularly, Chapter III sets the foundation for the digital product passport, information that will be mandatory once a delegated act comes into force. Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 remains in effect, and so continues to inform your energy labelling requirements until ESPR acts are adopted.
Your company has invented a sleek smartphone or tablet.
For ErP, the approach is the same as in the dishwasher example. First, start with the framework: Directive 2009/125/EC and Regulation (EU) 2017/1369. Next, check the product-specific rules; in this case, Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 covers smartphones and tablets. Here, the annexes outline not only a different label format but also a wider range of performance and durability metrics, reflecting its complexity compared to a dishwasher. Typical tests include:
You will also find procedures for each test, documentation requirements, and the layout of the product information sheet.
For ESPR compliance, Chapter III of Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 remains your reference for the Digital Product Passport. For smartphones, the DPP will eventually capture details on materials, repair instructions, software support periods, and recyclability. This information will become mandatory once the relevant delegated act for smartphones is in force. Until then, Regulations (EU) 2017/1369 and (EU) 2023/1670 are your first references.
The European Commission uses EPREL to build a greener and more eco-responsible future. Indeed, the examples above demonstrate which documents uphold the framework and directives they have used to construct this program. Additionally, we’ve seen that more extensive ecodesign and labelling obligations may apply to complex devices (like smart devices), complementing the core requirements described above. Thankfully, this approach is not exclusive to Europe. Other countries related to the EU have also adopted similar labelling decisions, including Japan, Turkey, and Canada.
Do you have any inquiries on EPREL and energy-related products? Contact Enviropass!
