Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 626/2011Show full title

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 626/2011

of 4 May 2011

supplementing Directive 2010/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of air conditioners

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Directive 2010/30/EU of 19 May 2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources energy-related products(1), and in particular Article 10 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Directive 2010/30/EU requires the Commission to adopt delegated acts as regards the labelling of energy-related products representing significant potential for energy savings and having a wide disparity in performance levels with equivalent functionality.

(2) Provisions for the energy labelling of air conditioners were established by Commission Directive 2002/31/EC of 22 March 2002 implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labelling of household air-conditioners(2). The implementing Directive establishes different labelling scales for air conditioners using different technologies and the determination of energy efficiency is based on full load operation only.

(3) The electricity used by air conditioners accounts for a significant part of total household and commercial electricity demand in the Union. In addition to the energy efficiency improvements already achieved, the scope for further reducing the energy consumption of air conditioners is substantial.

(4) Directive 2002/31/EC should be repealed and new provisions should be laid down by this Regulation in order to ensure that the energy label provides dynamic incentives for manufacturers to further improve the energy efficiency of air conditioners and to accelerate the market transformation towards energy-efficient technologies.

(5) The provisions of this Regulation should apply to air-to-air air conditioners up to 12 kW cooling power output (or heating power output, if only heating function is provided).

(6) Technological developments in the energy efficiency improvement of air conditioners have been very rapid in recent years. This has allowed several third-countries to introduce stringent minimum energy efficiency requirements and led to a process of introducing new energy labelling schemes based on seasonal performance. Today's appliances, excluding single and double duct air conditioners, that achieve the highest efficiency levels have largely surpassed the A efficiency levels established by Directive 2002/31/EC.

(7) This Regulation introduces two energy efficiency scales based on the primary function and on specific aspects important to consumer. Given that air conditioners are used mainly in part-load conditions, the efficiency testing should be changed to a seasonal efficiency measurement method, except for single and double duct air conditioners. The seasonal measurement method takes better into account the benefits of the inverter driven technology and the conditions in which these appliances are used. The new efficiency calculation method with an Ecodesign implementing measure setting minimum energy efficiency requirements higher than the current A level, will lead to a reclassification of these appliances. Consequently, split, window and wall air conditioners should have a new A-G energy efficiency class scale with a ‘+’ added on the top of the scale every two years until the A+++ class has been reached.

(8) For double duct and single duct air conditioners, steady-state energy efficiency performance indicators should continue to be applied, as there are currently no inverter units on the market. As no reclassification of these appliances is appropriate, single and double duct air conditioners should have an A+++-D scale. While these, inherently less efficient than split appliances, can go only up to an A+ energy efficiency class in a scale of A+++-D, the more efficient split appliances can reach up to the A+++ energy efficiency class.

(9) This Regulation should ensure that consumers get more accurate comparative information about the performance of air conditioners.

(10) The combined effect of energy labeling set out in this Regulation and of Regulation implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for air conditioners(3) is expected to result in annual electricity savings of 11 TWh by 2020, compared to the situation if no measures are taken.

(11) The noise level of an air conditioner could be an important aspect for end-users. In order to enable them to make an informed decision, information on noise emissions should be included on the label of air conditioners.

(12) The information provided on the label should be obtained through reliable, accurate and reproducible measurement procedures, which take into account the recognised state of the art measurement methods including, where available, harmonised standards adopted by the European standardisation bodies, as listed in Annex I to Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations(4).

(13) This Regulation should specify a uniform design and requirements as to the content of labels for air conditioners.

(14) In addition, this Regulation should specify requirements as to the technical documentation and the fiche for air conditioners.

(15) Moreover, this Regulation should specify requirements as to the information to be provided for any form of distance selling, advertisements and technical promotional material of air conditioners.

(16) It is appropriate to provide for a review of the provisions of this Regulation taking into account technological progress.

(17) In order to facilitate the transition from Directive 2002/31/EC to this Regulation, air conditioners labelled in accordance with this Regulation should be considered compliant with Directive 2002/31/EC.

(18) Suppliers wishing to place on the market air conditioners that can meet the requirements for higher energy efficiency classes should be allowed to provide labels showing those classes in advance of the date for mandatory display of such classes.

(19) Directive 2002/31/EC should therefore be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

(1)

OJ L 153, 18.6.2010, p. 1.

(2)

OJ L 86, 3.4.2002, p. 26.

(3)

Not yet adopted.

(4)

OJ L 204, 21.7.1998, p. 37.