New, revised energy labels for lamps and light bulbs as of 1 September

Lamps and other light sources will display new energy labels as of Wednesday. The revised labels will mean clearer information on energy consumption and efficiency of lamps.

Energy labels for light bulbs and lamps are changing. Light products will be labelled using an A-G scale, replacing the previous A+++ to E. Revamped labels are expected to steer consumers towards more energy-efficient products, with the top A class remaining empty at first to make room for innovative improvements in terms of energy efficiency. In spite of their familiar look, the new labels will not be directly comparable with their previous versions. As a result of the transition, lamps previously classified as A++ may become D for example, as found by Belgian consumer group Test Achats.

Light sources are not the first products to get a label revamp in 2021. Back in March, five other product groups, including fridges, washing machines and TVs, saw their labels updated. The revised energy labels and new ecodesign measures are expected to jointly deliver 167 TWh of energy savings every year by 2030, as much as the final annual energy consumption of Denmark.

Energy labels have encouraged consumers to buy more energy-efficient products for more than 20 years. Overall, 14 product categories sport them, including most home appliances (such as washing machines and dishwashers), air conditioners and boilers.

We call for higher ambition to unlock game-changing savings

Revised energy labels are set to bring about significant energy savings, but much more could be achieved if the European Commission ramped up its ambition.

Updates for the energy labels for many other products are constantly being delayed. In the last couple of years, we have seen postponements in the revision of labels for vacuum cleaners, laptops, space heaters and air conditioners, to name only a few examples.

The new labels introduced across 2021 have the potential to save us millions of euros – good for our wallets, and cut millions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions – good for the planet. But to reach our climate ambitions, the European Commission must now move up a gear and introduce rescaled energy labels on all products for which an update is foreseen in energy labelling regulations, such as air conditioners, space heaters and vacuum cleaners. It is time to enable consumers to make the right choices – for themselves, and for the planet.

Find further information on the new labels for light sources here: