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
• washer-dryers
• dishwashers
• televisions
• ovens
• vacuum cleaners
• lighting products
• central heating boilers
• air conditioners
• heat pumps

Create and attach 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 European Product Registry for Energy Labelling Database EPREL.

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 EPREL Database, to comply with the EU's energy labelling regulations.

Energy labels for cars

All new cars must have an energy label. The energy label shows the car's fuel efficiency compared to other cars in the same class. 

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. If it is a winter tyre, the winter tyre symbol must be shown on the label.

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 a tyre
• you indicate which label corresponds with the tyre you sold on or with invoice
• 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 and which energy-saving measures might still be taken. The energy efficiency classes range from A++++ to G, A++++ being the most energy efficient and G the least. You must hand over the certificate to the new owner or tenant. This applies to both new and existing buildings. The certificate must be issued by a certified energy efficiency advisor (EP advisor) to apply for an energy label. You can find an EP advisor via the Centraal Register Techniek (Central Register of Technical Services, in Dutch).

Energy label for holiday home

Do you sell or rent out holiday homes? You must supply the new owner or tenant with a valid energy label. You must also mention the label in your advertising. The energy label is valid for 10 years. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport, ILT) checks whether holiday homes have an energy label.

Energy labels for non-residential buildings

Almost all 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. You can check for which buildings an energy label is mandatory with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO, in Dutch). You can check your energy label in the EP online database (in Dutch). You can find more information on EP online with RVO (in Dutch).

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: Do you use 50,000 kWh of electricity or 25,000 m3 of natural gas (or equivalent) per year at your site? Then you must meet the Energy Saving Obligation.

Energy labels for offices

Offices must have at least an energy label C (in Dutch). For some office buildings an energy label C is not mandatory. For example, if the building measures less than 100 m2. View all exceptions to the energy label C requirement (in Dutch).

 If an office does not comply with the C label requirement it can no longer be used as an office. Municipalities and environmental services check whether you comply with this requirement. Does your office not have an energy label C and do you continue to use it? You may be fined for this. Find out how to make your office energy efficient for energy label C.

Find your office's energy label

You can find your office’s energy label in the Dutch-language EP-online database. 

Applying for an office energy label

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

Displaying 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 (in Dutch). For example, next to the reception desk or entrance. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) checks this.