The transition period for household appliances, electronic displays and TVs

The products referred to below include household washing machines, washer-dryers, household dishwashers, household refrigeration and electronic displays. Energy labelling requirements in Great Britain for lighting products can be found on our light sources page.

When will the new rescaled labels be provided by manufacturers/suppliers and when must they be used in stores and online shops?

Products placed on the Northern Ireland market

  • Suppliers must ensure these products meet EU energy labelling rules – product information must be entered into the EPREL database
  • These products must continue to use the EU energy label design
  • The timeline for rescaled energy labels replacing old energy labels is the same in the EU and NI as it is in GB, detailed below.

Products placed on the GB market before and after 1st November 2020

During a 4 month transition period between 1.11.2020 and 28.2.2021:

  • Suppliers must provide the old and new label and product information sheets with new units of products
  • Suppliers, on request by the retailers/dealers, must provide the new labels for products in the retailers/dealers stock.
  • From 1 January 2021, manufacturers must supply UK energy labels, featuring the UK flag and English-only text, on all products.
  • The QR code on the UK energy label should link to a free, publicly accessible website with the required product information only.

During a 14 working days period between 1.3.2021 and 18.3.2021:

  • Old labels on display must be replaced by rescaled labels.
  • Special requirements for displaying products: the supplier shall either print the label on the packaging or stick a rescaled colour label to the packaging. If, at the point of sale, a product model is only displayed in the packaging (not taken out of the packaging for display) the dealer must ensure visibility of the label for the consumer.
  • There are special requirements in case of distance or internet selling: An arrow with the energy efficiency class and the range of energy efficiency classes must be placed next to the product model for any product information provided on the web. The product information sheet must be provided to the consumer on paper for old energy labels or via a free, publicly accessible website for rescaled energy labels. The QR code on rescaled energy labels should link to this website page (PNG, 39 kB)

New products placed on the GB market from 1.11.2020 onwards but sold to end-users only after 1.3.2021

From 1.11.2020 onwards:

  • Suppliers must provide the rescaled label and related product information sheet to retailers/dealers. 
  • From 1 January 2021, manufacturers must supply UK energy labels, featuring the UK flag and English-only text, on all products.
  • The QR code on the UK energy label should link to a free, publicly accessible website with the required product information only.

As of 1.3.2021:

  • New products with the rescaled label are shown in stores and online shops
  • In case of internet or distance selling see additional requirements as specified above
  • For displays see additional requirements specified above

Products already sold on the GB market before 1.11.2020 but no longer placed on the GB market after 1.11.2020, or when a supplier has ceased its activities

1.3.2021 to 30.11.2021

  • Products may still be sold with the old label during a 9-month transition period.
  • No new information to be provided by suppliers.

As of 1.12.2021

  • Products with the old label must not be sold anymore

Additional requirements for household appliances, TVs and electronic displays

1. In case of distance or internet selling to the GB, NI or EU markets:
An arrow with the efficiency class of the product and the range of energy efficiency classes to be placed next to the product model for any product information provided on the web. The product information sheet should be provided to the consumer on paper for old energy labels or on a free, publicly accessible website for new, rescaled energy labels. The QR code on rescaled energy labels should link to this website page. The detailed requirements concerning implementation of the label for distance and internet selling are extensive and should be taken from the product-specific regulations (see also references below).

2. Specific requirements for displaying products on the GB, NI or EU markets:
- the supplier shall either print the coloured label on the packaging or put a sticker with the label on the packaging
- if a product model at the point of sale is not displayed in the packaging (i.e. not taken out of the packaging) the dealer must ensure visibility of the label for the consumer (i.e. the side of the packaging with the label must be visible).

References

For further information on the newly designed UK Energy Labels, please visit our 'In a nutshell' page. 

To find out more about placing products on the market or making products available on the market in Great Britain visit this gov.uk guidance page

To find out more about placing goods on the market or making products available on the market in Northern Ireland visit this gov.uk guidance page