The European ecodesign legislation imposes minimum requirements for energy efficiency. Devices that consume more energy than what is allowed can no longer be sold in Belgium and the European Union. In other words, manufacturers are obligated to take the energy consumption of the consumer into account when designing their products.

The European energy label divides the devices that can still be sold into classes based on their energy consumption. Efficient devices get the green A-label. Devices that perform less well get for instance a red D-label. This makes it possible for the consumer to choose the most energy-efficient household appliances.

LED-2457M_Energy_label 

The following devices have minimum requirements:

• battery chargers and external power supply,
• simple and complex set-top boxes (devices that convert digital signals to analogous signals for analogous TV or radio).
• scanners and printers
• circulators, electric motors, fans and pumps
 
These devices have minimum requirements and an energy label:

• Televisions and monitors,
• desktops and laptops,
• air-conditioning and ventilation,
• refrigerators and freezers,
• dishwashing machines,
• washing machines, driers,
• vacuum cleaners,
• Ovens, hobs and range hoods,
• Heaters and hot water storage tanks,
• Lighting products.