What are the essential new features of the new labelling scheme?

Label scale
There will be one scale for all rescaled products from A to G. A+, A++ and A+++ will not be used anymore. The colour scale in the label will not be changed. It has become a central element to the energy label making it easily recognisable and useable.
QR-Code
The label will be linked to an EU product database via a QR-code (upper right corner on the label). The database (expected to be accessible as of July 2020) will provide additional product information for all labelled products. It will be accessible via scanning of the QR-code with a smartphone.
Pictograms
Most of icons showing product features from the old label will stay the same in the new version. However some pictograms were slightly adapted and a few will be newly introduced (e.g. the spinning efficiency class of a washing machine, energy efficiency in HDR-mode for TVs and displays).
Energy consumption
The energy consumption of the products is shown in a more prominent way in the middle section of the label. Consumption is presented either as kWh per year, kWh per 1000 hours or kWh per 100 cycles, depending on the product group.

Efficiency classes

At the time of the introduction of the new labels after 1st March 2021 no “A” class products will be available on the market. The energy efficiency classes were specified in a way to reserve some room for further innovation of even more efficient products.
The new best energy efficiency class therefore most likely will be class B or C depending on product group and the technical improvements that may be realised before the introduction of the new energy label.
No new efficiency classes will be added to the A to G scale in the future. To avoid any further changes of the scale the criteria for the classes A to G will be revised regularly according to technology and market development.
During a transition period until December 2021 some exemptions will be applied for household appliances and TVs intended to be phased-out. Such product models may be sold during a period of 9 months with the old label.
For products being rescaled in 2022 or later (e.g. for air conditioners, tumble dryers etc.), the current labels with A+ classes are still used and presented in shops.


Best available energy class after rescaling	Existing label:	Revised label
Household refrigerators and freezers	A+++	B/C
Wine refrigerators	A+++	B/C
Washing machines, 4 kg and above	A+++	B/C
Dishwashers	A+++	B/C
TVs and electronic displays	A+++	B/C
Light sources	A++	C/D