Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LabelPack Aplus (Promotion and support to the implementation of the energy labelling for Space, Combi Heaters and Water Heaters with a focus on the “Package label”)

Teaser

Energy labelling of Lot 1 & Lot 2 includes a major innovation: the package label which brings new requirements and challenges for the industry. The project is addressing one of the main challenges: the issuing of the package label by professionals, others than the...

Summary

Energy labelling of Lot 1 & Lot 2 includes a major innovation: the package label which brings new requirements and challenges for the industry. The project is addressing one of the main challenges: the issuing of the package label by professionals, others than the manufacturers, namely installers.
The project aims at supporting the implementation of the energy labelling of heating appliances while boosting its impact, the focus being on the “package label” and its potential to push for the uptake of renewable technologies, in particular solar thermal, in combination with efficient conventional technologies. The LabelPack A+ project supports the entire support chain (industry, installers, public authorities, consumers).
Main objectives are:
- To achieve common understanding of the regulations to support its implementation and increase its impact from the beginning: the package label is an innovative element within the energy labelling framework, the supply chain of heating products differs significantly from others products previously labelled and the dealers/installers will be confronted with new responsibilities usually borne only by suppliers. Label Pack A+ provides clarification, interpretations and validation to all actors of the value chain and public authorities before the labelling actually begins in the market.
- To increase visibility and a specific targeted promotion of the “package label” as an innovation within the dispositions of the regulations on the energy labelling of heating appliances: this “innovation” constituted by the package label requires a specific, targeted promotion to ensure that all actors of the value chain and in particulars the suppliers of packages, the dealers of packages and the consumers of packages are addressed, informed and trained about its specificities.
- To involve the supply chain in the preparation and implementation of the “package label” to remove barriers and increase acceptance: these activities of preparation of the implementation of the package label allows involving closely the actors of the supply chain. On the one hand it ensures their information and preparation on the other hand their inputs and participation is needed to ensure the adequacy of the outputs of the project to their needs. They are being motivated by the concrete support and tools provided by the project.

Work performed

The Labelpack A+ project assists market players in reaching a common understanding of the Energy labelling regulation of Lot 1 & Lot 2, support its implementation and increase its impact. The 1st phase focused on the initial implementation of the ‘package label’ (until end 2015), the 2nd (current) phase continues the implementation of tasks and in addition consists of monitoring, evaluation and promotion activities which will lead to readjustments in the 3rd phase.
In order to reach the objectives, Pilot Projects are being implemented in 6 countries with major markets (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Portugal) and the project consortium developed Guidelines on the package label as well as standardized answers to clarify the responsibility of each actor in the supply chain. The LabelPack A+ guidelines focus on installers and SMEs, who are/might be facing specific implementation challenges; the consortium developed an energy labelling calculation tool based on the European Commission’s methodology and made it available to all the actors in the supply chain in the form of an online calculation tool; developed industry specific training materials in 5 languages, information materials for professionals and end consumers and released several articles as well as provided information in several international and national events. The main project outputs are designed to be easily replicable in non-project countries and the first steps of cooperation with external actors have started. In the framework of the project market surveys are also being carried out in order to provide recommendations to authorities at EU and national level. The development of business models for ensuring continuity of some of the project tools have started.

Final results

Expected impact of the project is to achieve a better understanding of the label among dealers and installers and consumers to facilitate proper implementation of the heating label and a good acceptance of the “package label” on the EU market through the implementation of the Pilot Projects in the project countries and by engaging other countries and consumers which may lead to an increased share of renewable heating solutions in the market.
LabelPack A+ also aims at creating national platforms with main stakeholders interested (directly or indirectly) in the energy labelling process.

The socio-economic effect includes an increased awareness of consumers on efficiency issues related to heating technology, which has not been quite common in the past. Efficiency labels were perceived of relevance only at electronic and white goods, not for water or space heating applications, including renewable energy options such as solar thermal. An increased awareness will lead to purchase decisions based on the label in the long run, but the shift in consciousness of consumers takes time, as we experience by the project result.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.label-pack-a-plus.eu/.