What is European Energy Efficiency ERP?

Currently, high-energy-consuming products such as lighting, TVs, set-top boxes, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and electric heaters sold on the European cross-border e-commerce platform need to comply with the EU ERP Energy Efficiency Directive and attach the ERP energy efficiency label. The EU ERP (Energy-related Products) Directive is a framework directive on the ecodesign requirements for energy-related products, aiming to improve the environmental performance of energy-consuming products and control ecological pollution.

What is the EU ERP Directive?

1. Release and Effect:

The EU officially released the Ecodesign Requirements for Energy-related Products Directive 2009/125/EC, known as the ErP Directive, on October 31, 2009. This directive took effect on November 10, 2009, and replaced the former EuP Directives (2005/32/EC, 2008/28/EC) as of November 20, 2009.

2. Purpose of the ERP Directive:

- To improve upon the EuP Directive 2005/32/EC and further expand its scope.

- To establish a framework for the ecodesign requirements for energy-related products.

- To reduce the energy consumption of these products throughout their lifecycle and minimize their environmental impact.

3. Product Range:

- In addition to the energy-consuming products covered by the original EuP Directive (such as televisions, external power supplies, lighting, motors, household refrigeration equipment), the ErP Directive also includes other energy-saving products like windows, insulation materials, or water-using products (such as showerheads, faucets).

- It does not apply to vehicles used for transporting people or goods.

4. Energy Efficiency Certification and Labeling:

- ERP energy efficiency registration is a mandatory certification project in the EU, requiring manufacturers or importers to attach an ERP energy efficiency label to relevant products when sold.

- The ERP energy efficiency label identifies the product’s energy efficiency rating, energy consumption, and other energy-related information to help consumers understand the product’s energy performance.

5. Implementation Details:

- The ErP Directive is a framework directive rather than a product-specific directive. Based on this directive, the EU further formulates specific ecodesign requirements for certain energy-consuming products, known as Implementing Measures (IM).

- Published implementing measures include ecodesign requirements for household and office electronic and electrical equipment standby and off-mode power consumption, simple set-top boxes, non-directional household lamps, etc.

6. Impact and Significance:

- Enhances the environmental performance of products and promotes more sustainable product choices in the EU market.

- Encourages manufacturers to improve product energy efficiency design to meet market demand.

- Increases consumer awareness of product energy performance, leading to more environmentally friendly and economical purchasing decisions.

- The latest update involves the old regulation for electric heaters (EU) 2015/1188, with the latest EPR regulation (EU) 2024/1103, effective July 1, 2025.

What are the updates in this regulation?

- Scope of Control:

  - The control range for commercial local space heaters is expanded from below 120 kW to below 300 kW.

  - The capacity range for household local space heaters remains unchanged.

  - New requirements for independent controllers.

  - New requirements for towel racks.

  - The category of radiant local space heaters is deleted and merged into mobile or fixed local space heaters.

- Ecodesign Requirements:

  - Seasonal Space Heating Efficiency (ηs):

 - Different calculation methods from current regulations, including calculation formulas, corresponding product function calculation factors, and changes in CC coefficients.

 - Two new function calculation factors: self-learning function and temperature control accuracy.

 - If claiming temperature control accuracy, it must be tested and verified according to EN 15500-1.

  - Functional Requirements:

 - Storage-type local space heaters should be equipped with electronic heat controllers with indoor, outdoor temperature feedback, and fan-assisted heat output functions.

 - Towel racks with a nominal heat output of ≤60 W must have a work time limitation function with a maximum preset time of no more than 6 hours.

  - Low Power Mode:

 - Must provide off-mode or standby mode, or both.

  - Other Updated Requirements:

 - Additional information requirements for heaters shipped without controllers and independent controllers.

 - Relevant requirements for spare parts (after-sales maintenance): supply duration, spare parts list, price, purchasing process, delivery time, etc.

 - Access to maintenance and repair information.

 - Product design must comply with the requirements of Directive 2012/19/EU.

All major electric heater manufacturers should be ready to respond at any time.

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