Introductory text

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

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

Having regard to Directive 2010/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products^f1, and in particular Article 10 thereof,

Whereas:

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

Local space heaters with equivalent functionality exhibit a wide disparity in terms of energy efficiency and the energy they use accounts for a significant share of the total energy demand in the Union. The scope for reducing their energy consumption is significant.

Local space heaters using non-woody biomass have specific technical characteristics and should therefore be exempted from this Regulation.

Harmonised provisions on labelling and standard product information should be laid down in order to provide incentives for manufacturers to improve the energy efficiency of local space heaters, to encourage end-users to purchase energy-efficient products and to contribute to the functioning of the internal market.

As the typical use and therefore also energy consumption of local space heaters is different to that of other space heating products being regulated, this Regulation should introduce a labelling scale different to that of other space heating products.

As luminous and tube local space heaters are products directly purchased by professionals and not by final consumers no energy labelling requirements relating to them are set in this Regulation.

The minimum requirements applying to electric local space heaters under Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1188^f2 provide the maximum technical improvement potential of these products. In consequence, no room for differentiation will be left among them. Electric local space heaters cannot be directly substituted by more efficient local space heaters using other fuels and in consequence, the label would not achieve the objective of providing information to consumers about the relative efficiency of different products.

Promoting the use of renewable energy in heating products is consistent with the objective of promoting renewable energy. It is therefore appropriate that this Regulation introduces a specific approach for local space heaters, a ‘biomass label factor’ set at such a level that class A++ can be reached by solid fuel local space heaters using pellets only.

The information provided on the label should be obtained through reliable, accurate and reproducible measurement and calculation procedures which take into account recognised state-of-the-art measurement and calculation methods including, where available, harmonised standards adopted by the European standardisation organisations, in accordance with the procedures laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f3, for the purpose of establishing ecodesign requirements.

This Regulation should specify a uniform design and content for the product labels of local space heaters.

In addition, this Regulation should specify requirements for the product fiche and technical documentation for local space heaters.

Moreover, this Regulation should specify requirements in respect of the information to be provided in any case of any form of distance selling of local space heaters and in any advertisements and technical promotional material for such local space heaters.

It is appropriate to provide for a review of the provisions of this Regulation taking into account technological progress,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: