New energy labels are not being displayed correctly by retailers in-store or online, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
As part of the LABEL2020 project, the Energy Saving Trust and other project partners have carried out monitoring of retailers’ stores and websites to check if/how the new energy labels are being used and displayed.
The research has shown that there are some common issues and non-compliance.
These include:
Online
• Arrow not used on pages with multiple products e.g., product listing pages.
• Wrong arrow design.
• Not displayed correctly e.g., not close to the price.
• Not corresponding arrow to the energy class on the label.
• Old arrow (without the scale of efficiency classes) used for product with the new energy label.
• No arrow used at all.
Bricks-and-mortar
The issues reported for bricks-and-mortar shops were mostly related to the label and the display of the label.
For 26 shops out of 73, some kind of issue was reported relating to the display of the energy label.
• Labels not visible (i.e., placed in "pockets" behind the product information, placed inside products).
• TVs and monitors are often both on display in shops but also frequently in packaging. The energy label on the packaging was not facing the customer.
• TVs: Labels only on one product and not on the main exposition product.
• Both old and new energy labels displayed side by side.
• EU and UK energy label displayed together.
• Bad label quality resulting in the QR code not working.
In order to help retailers to display the information correctly, the Energy Saving Trust has provided further guidance on energy labelling.
This information will soon be followed by e-learning modules on the new energy labels developed under the LABEL2020 and an online compliance module developed in coordination with BEIS.
To make it easier for shoppers to buy the right home appliance or product for their needs, the energy label has been improved.
The new label, which appeared in shops and online from March 2021, features a new, simpler range: A to G.
Other benefits of the new labelling include:
A QR code will allow you to access useful product information by scanning the code with a smartphone.
Some icons showing product features have been adapted, while other new ones have been added (for example, the spinning efficiency class of a washing machine).
The energy consumption of the appliance is now more prominent on the label.
You can download the documents here:
Commenting on the research, Paul Hide, CEO of appliance manufacturers’ trade association, AMDEA, said:
“We’re now more than 12 months past the change to the Energy Labelling ratings and regulations for the majority of large domestic appliance categories.
"What is concerning is that there are still many examples where the old and incorrect energy labels are being presented to the public. This is a problem on two counts, firstly displaying the old/ incorrect labels is a breach of law and therefore those failing to meet the requirements could lead themselves open to enforcement action.
“Secondly, more than ever, as an industry we’re trying to improve customer education on the benefits of purchasing ‘best in class’ energy-efficient appliances to both help reduce rocketing energy bills and to reduce the carbon footprint of appliances in use.”
He added: “Incorrect labelling can be misleading and result in customers making false assumptions when comparing one product with another, at best resulting in a less than ideal purchase, at worst risking misrepresentation at the point of sale, which could lead to a customer complaint or request for a refund.”
Mr Hide called for retailers to do the right thing: “Sometimes it is easy to forget to ensure all labelling is correct, so we’d urge all retailers, e-tailers and manufacturers to check their product page information and ticketing to ensure all products are correctly labelled. Don’t wait for a knock on your door from your local trading standards officer!”
