Energy labels have been informing electric appliance consumers since 1995. Because of the advancements in technology since then, this label has been revised in order to adapt it to the energy efficiency of today's appliances.

The European Union has established implementation dates for the new label, which apply only to cooling appliances, washing machines and dishwashers:

• Since December 2011, the use of the new European Union energy label has been mandatory, and the old one can no longer be used.
• Since April 2012 it is mandatory to mention the new energy class on all communication material which includes information related to energy, prices or technical data.

The products placed on the market before December 2011 which display the old label can continue to be sold with no time limitation.

The aim of energy labelling is to provide consumers with more information on energy usage when they buy a new electric appliance, so they can identify more easily their energy efficiency.

The energy efficiency level is represented by means of seven letters, from A+++ to D.

The most efficient appliances are rated A+++, A++ and A+.

All the energy labels on electric appliances have the same structure:

• At the top, next to the European Union flag, the name of the supplier or brand and the model identifier.
• In the middle, the appliance's energy class, using the scale of letters and colours.
• Next, the annual energy consumption.
• At the bottom, a series of pictograms with the selected characteristics.

So from now on, read the energy label carefully before you buy, and then decide responsibly.