What is EPREL, and does it apply to chargers?

Main answer · Wecent Editorial Team

Short answer: Generally no. EPREL (the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling) is the database set up under the Energy Labelling Framework Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 for product groups that must carry an EU energy label, such as TVs, fridges and lamps. External power supplies and phone chargers have no EU energy label, so there’s no EPREL registration for them. Their efficiency is covered by Ecodesign requirements, notably Regulation (EU) 2019/1782 for external power supplies. Tell the distributor this and offer the Ecodesign information instead.

What EPREL is

EPREL was created under Regulation (EU) 2017/1369, which sets the framework for EU energy labelling. Suppliers of products covered by a specific energy labelling regulation must register their models in EPREL before placing them on the market. The database holds the label, the product information sheet and technical documentation for market surveillance. Consumers can scan the QR code on an energy label to see the EPREL entry.

Which products are covered

Only product groups with their own delegated energy labelling regulation are registered. Examples include household appliances, displays, light sources, tyres and some heating products. If a product group has no energy label, it isn’t in EPREL.

Chargers and external power supplies

External power supplies are regulated under Ecodesign rules, mainly Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1782, which sets minimum average active efficiency and maximum no-load power. For example, no-load power is limited to 0.10W for most supplies up to 49W output and 0.21W above. These are minimum requirements, not a label, and there’s no EPREL registration for them.

What to offer instead

• The Ecodesign information for the model: average active efficiency, efficiency at 10% load where relevant, and no-load power, as published by the manufacturer.
• The test report showing compliance with the Ecodesign requirements.
• The EU Declaration of Conformity listing the Ecodesign regulation where it applies.

Products where EPREL may be relevant

If you sell products that combine a charger with a labelled product, the labelled product follows its own rules. A charger on its own doesn’t need EPREL.

Keep an eye on changes

The EU revises Ecodesign rules for external power supplies from time to time, and future rules may change scope or requirements, including for USB-C chargers. Check EUR-Lex and the European Commission’s Ecodesign pages for current status before relying on older summaries.

Answering the distributor

“Chargers and external power supplies are not covered by an EU energy label, so they have no EPREL registration. The model complies with Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/1782; we can provide the Ecodesign data and test report.” Confirm with Wecent which Ecodesign data and reports are available for each model.

Where this answer says confirm with Wecent, the detail is not published on the product page and has to come from the datasheet or the factory. General facts come from the standards bodies, regulators or device makers named in the text.