Simpler EU energy labels for lighting to help consumers cut their energy bill

From 1 September 2021, the new version of the EU energy label for light bulbs and other lighting products is applicable in shops and online, helping EU consumers cut their carbon footprint and energy bills.

The EU-funded projects Label 2020 and BELT are supporting various market actors with the transition to the new energy labels on lighting products (and earlier this year on some domestic appliances) in 20 countries. Label 2020 will be expanding their web app “Efficiency Check” to include “light sources”, such as light bulbs. By simply scanning the new QR code on the label, the web app currently allows users to compare costs and product parameters for a number of domestic appliances, including refrigerators and televisions. The tool uses data extracted from the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL). Label 2020 has also produced useful guidance on reading the packaging of “light sources” as well as on replacing these. 

The sister project BELT is undertaking social media campaigns and producing communications material, such as informative articles in consumer magazines (e.g. in French) and videos. In addition, the BELT calculator, which includes lamps among other products, calculates CO2 impact and related costs, while allowing for personalisation depending on household size.