Brussels, BELGIUM – The European Commission today presented its Energy-Efficient Products Omnibus, proposing to digitalise energy labelling for many products, including consumer electronics; simplify the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL); and remove the default requirement to include paper-guzzling printed labels in every box, while making product information sheets fully digital.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe) welcomes the proposal, which would give consumers easier access to clear, up-to-date information on products’ energy performance while cutting waste and compliance costs.
For consumers, the proposal would move energy information from paper to the digital space, including online product pages and easily accessible digital links. Digital delivery would also reduce the environmental footprint of product labelling.
Research indicates that digital labelling could save millions of litres of water each year, reduce carbon emissions associated with printing and packaging reprints, and lower EU compliance costs for manufacturers of electronics by nearly €120 million annually.
Finally, the Association appreciates the Omnibus proposal for a more user-friendly ‘nested display’ in digital storefronts. Online shops will now be able to simply show the energy rating next to the product’s price, letting consumers click or hover to see the full label. This keeps key information easy to find without overwhelming shoppers with too much detail.
CCIA Europe urges the European Parliament and Council to preserve this approach and make sure that energy-labelling rules across different legislative initiatives (such as Omnibus IV and the Ecodesign Regulation and Directive) are properly aligned to avoid duplicative or inconsistent requirements.
The following can be attributed to CCIA Europe’s Policy Manager, Leonardo Veneziani:
“The Commission’s digital labelling proposal turns regulatory simplification from an abstract policy goal into a practical improvement for consumers. Energy information should be clear, current, and available where people actually shop – not buried in paperwork.”
“Replacing unnecessary printed documentation with digital information means less paper, lower water use, and fewer emissions from packaging. This is the kind of simplification Europe needs: less red tape, without weakening environmental goals.”
“We urge the European Parliament and Council to adopt the proposal swiftly and maintain consistent digital labelling rules across the EU framework.”
