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Understanding EPREL – The European Product Registry for Energy Labelling

Sections in this Guide

Introduction to EPREL

EPREL acts as a transparency tool for market surveillance authorities and gives consumers access to verified product data through the QR code on the energy label. Submitting complete and accurate EPREL entries is therefore as important as producing the label itself.

The European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) is the EU’s central database for listing energy-labelled products. If you place energy-related products on the EU or Northern Ireland market, you must upload detailed technical and compliance information to EPREL before the product is sold. This requirement applies to EU manufacturers, importers, and where applicable their European Authorised Representative.

What is EPREL?

EPREL is an online database mandated by the Energy Labelling Regulation (EU) 2017/1369. It stores product data, technical documentation, efficiency parameters, and compliance details for any product requiring an EU energy label – from domestic appliances to commercial equipment.

It has two sides:

  • Public database: Basic information accessible to consumers via the QR code.
  • Compliance database: Technical documentation accessible only to authorities, used for surveillance and enforcement.

Who Must Register Products in EPREL?

Registration must be completed by:

  • EU manufacturers, or
  • Importers placing products from outside the EU on the market, or
  • An appointed Authorised Representative acting on behalf of a non-EU manufacturer.

If a non-EU company wants to sell energy-labelled products in the EU, they must appoint an Authorised Representative – and this representative is responsible for creating and maintaining the EPREL entries.

Which Products Must Be Registered?

Any product category covered by energy labelling rules requires EPREL registration. This includes (non-exhaustive):

  • Refrigerators and freezers
  • Washing machines and dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Ovens and hobs
  • Air conditioners and heat pumps
  • Televisions and displays
  • Lighting products
  • Ventilation units
  • Water heaters and storage tanks
  • Commercial refrigeration equipment

If the product requires an energy label, it requires EPREL.

What Information Do You Need for EPREL?

Typical data requirements include:

  • Product model identifier
  • Supplier name and contact details
  • Energy label values (class, consumption, efficiency metric)
  • Full technical documentation
  • Test results / declarations used to calculate label values
  • Images of the product and the energy label
  • Packaging label (if applicable)
  • Dimensions, performance metrics, and operational parameters depending on product category

Having an accurate and complete technical file makes EPREL submission straightforward.

Maintaining EPREL Entries

Manufacturers and Authorised Representatives must:

  • Update entries when a model is changed or corrected
  • Ensure documents remain accurate and available
  • Archive discontinued models as required
  • Respond to market surveillance queries using the technical file

Failure to maintain EPREL entries can result in enforcement action, fines, or product withdrawal.

EPREL and the Role of the Authorised Representative

An Authorised Representative may:

  • Create and publish EPREL entries
  • Maintain technical documentation
  • Communicate with market surveillance authorities on your behalf
  • Ensure compliance deadlines are met
  • Maintain verification evidence under the Regulation

For non-EU manufacturers, an AR is essential to legally register products.

EPREL for Northern Ireland (CE + UKNI)

Products placed on the Northern Ireland market must continue to follow EU energy labelling rules. This means EPREL registration remains mandatory for any energy-labelled product sold in Northern Ireland, even though it is part of the UK.

Under the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Windsor Framework, the EU’s Energy Labelling Regulation applies directly to NI. As a result:

  • EPREL registration is required for all products that need an EU energy label.
  • The EU energy label (with the QR code) must be supplied on the product.
  • Technical documentation must meet the same EU requirements as products sold within the EU.

CE and UKNI marking rules

For most energy-labelled products placed on the Northern Ireland market:

  • CE marking is still accepted.
  • UKNI marking is required only if a UK-approved body carries out mandatory third-party conformity assessment (rare for energy-labelled goods, which are typically self-certified).
  • If no UK body is involved, the UKNI mark is not needed, and CE alone is sufficient.

Regardless of whether CE or CE+UKNI is applied, the EPREL obligation does not change — the product must be registered before being placed on the NI market.

Who is responsible for EPREL in Northern Ireland?

The responsibility mirrors EU rules:

  • NI-based manufacturers register directly in EPREL.
  • NI importers of products from outside the EU/NI region take on the role of the “supplier” and must complete the EPREL entry.
  • Non-EU/NI manufacturers selling into NI must appoint an Authorised Representative in the EU or Northern Ireland to manage compliance, including EPREL submissions.

Why EPREL matters for NI businesses

Market surveillance authorities in Northern Ireland use EPREL to verify label accuracy, energy efficiency claims, and the availability of technical documentation. Incomplete or missing EPREL entries can result in product withdrawals, enforcement action, or loss of market access.

How Authorised Rep Compliance Can Help

Authorised Rep Compliance can manage your complete EPREL obligations, including:

  • Acting as your EU Authorised Representative
  • Uploading product data and technical documentation
  • Maintaining your technical file
  • Handling updates and surveillance requests

Our role is to make EPREL registration accurate, compliant, and stress-free.

Further Reading

For definitions see our page on Classification and Labelling (C&L) Definitions

Read our guide to the CLP Hazard Pictograms

Read our guide on how to produce Safety Data Sheets

Read our guide on Poison Centre Notifications (PCN) – What They Are and How They’re Submitted

Read our guide to Cosmetic Product Notification Portal (CPNP)