Ecodesign and energy labelling: Commission consults on revised rules for space and water heaters

The European Commission is seeking feedback on the draft updates to 4 technical regulations on ecodesign and energy labelling of central space heaters and water heaters such as boilers or hydronic heat pumps. The consultations are open from 28 November and close on 26 December 2025.

With the current rules dating back to 2013, the revision aims to reflect technical and market progress such as state-of-the-art testing methods to measure the energy efficiency, sound power levels and NOx emissions of appliances. The updates would also include new products such as hybrid heat pumps.

To make it easier for consumers to identify energy-efficient products, the proposal simplifies EU energy labels from the current A+++ – D scale to a clearer A-G scale. The simpler design includes a QR code to access more information the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL). Many appliances such as fridges and LED bulbs successfully have already undergone such re-scaling, bringing clarity and greater transparency.

The label will also include a scale for noise levels and new icons to identify appliances that are compatible with the EU Code of conduct on energy-smart appliances and heat pumps that use climate-friendly cooling fluids. The new labels would also make it easier for consumers to compare water heaters with combination heaters.

The least efficient fossil-based heaters would be subject to stricter ecodesign requirements. Meanwhile, non-fossil fuel-based heaters would have new requirements, though they would be less strict as they are already highly energy efficient. These requirements refer to the availability of spare parts and information on delivery options and prices. Before they can be sold, heaters would be subject to a third-party conformity assessment, progressively extended to all types of heaters. In future, heaters should be able to measure and display consumption.

Next steps

These consultations are part of the legislative procedure to revise EU ecodesign and energy labelling regulations. EU countries will subsequently be consulted on the draft texts and comments received.

The Commission will then adopt the final regulations and publish them in the Official Journal of the EU, unless the European Parliament and the Council of the EU express a negative opinion objection during the scrutiny period.