Energy labels

In the Netherlands, a number of product categories, cars, and buildings must carry an energy label. The energy label includes information about the product's energy consumption. It also states the efficiency in comparison to similar products.

Electrical equipment

An energy label is mandatory for several electrical household appliances such as:

• fridges and freezers
• washing machines and washer-dryers
• dishwashers
• televisions
• ovens
• vacuum cleaners
• lighting products
• central heating boilers
• air conditioners

Create an energy label

Are you a manufacturer or supplier of electrical appliances? You have to measure how energy-efficient the appliance is and you must create the energy label yourself or have it made. The details must be recorded on a label. You can have an energy label made at a testing laboratory.

Are you a retailer? You must attach the energy label to the outside of the appliance. The label must always be clearly visible. You can request the label from the supplier, or download it from the Eprel database.

Registration

Are you a manufacturer or importer and do you want to sell appliances that require an energy label? You must register the appliances in the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL), before selling them on European markets.

Energy labels for cars

All new cars must have an energy label that states the car's fuel economy in relation to other cars of the same category. Depending on the energy label, the purchaser of a car may receive a reduction on the purchase tax (private vehicle and motorcycle tax, BPM).

European tyre label

Do you sell car tyres? You must include a European tyre label. This gives information about the fuel economy, safety, and noise of the tyre. All European car tyre sellers need to use the European label. This means that:

• all tyres on your premises should carry the label (sticker) on the tyre tread
• you must inform clients about the label before they buy the tyre
• the invoice should state the tyre label
• you should show the label on your website and in your promotional material

Energy labels for houses

Houses and apartments must have an energy label (in Dutch) when they are being built, sold, or rented. The label shows how energy-efficient the house is. The owner must hand over the certificate to the purchaser or tenant. This applies to new and to existing buildings. The certificate must be issued by a certified advisor.

Energy labels for non-residential buildings

Commercial and public buildings, such as schools, offices, shops, or hospitals, should also have an energy performance certificate EPC when they are built, sold, or rented out. Only a certified energy adviser (in Dutch) can draft and apply for an energy label for utility buildings. The label is valid for a maximum of 10 years.

Please note: Does your company use 50,000 kWh of electricity or 25,000 m3 of natural gas (or equivalent) per year? Then you must meet the energy efficiency obligation.

Energy labels for offices

Offices measuring 100m2 or more must have at least an energy label C (in Dutch). This applies to offices that are part of a building as well as free-standing office buildings. If an office does not comply with this requirement it can no longer be used as an office. Your local municipality checks this. Does your office not have an energy label C and you continue to use it? You may be fined for this. Find out how to make your office energy efficient for energy label C.

The energy performance certificate of buildings provides information about the energy quality of the home or building. You can look up the energy label of a building online (in Dutch).

Find your office's energy label

You can find your office’s energy label in the Dutch EP-online database. Does your office have an older, but still valid, energy label? You must have an energy index (EI) of 1.3 (energy label C) or better.

Apply for an office energy label

You can request an energy label for your office (in Dutch) from a certified energy advisor.

Display energy labels

Do you have a public building of more than 250 m2 with an energy label? For example, a shop, supermarket, restaurant, theatre, bank, or hotel. You must display the energy label visibly for visitors. For example, next to the reception desk or entrance. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) checks this.