MSA Recent Updates
Be informed. Read the latest updates on EU energy labelling and ecodesign regulations, as well as MSA news.
General updates
Use this step-by-step Checklist to prepare and submit the required ecodesign and energy labelling technical documentation when requested by the MSA, ensuring timely compliance.
The European Product Register for Energy Labelling (EPREL) now requires mandatory verification for all suppliers. This ensures data accuracy and product compliance within the EU market. The deadline to complete the verification process was 22nd October 2024. Unverified suppliers' products will now be removed from the EPREL database and considered not legally placed on the market. You must complete the verification process to reactivate your existing registrations and for any new product applications.
Learn more about these requirements: EPREL platform verification process updates
Building services products
New Ecodesign rules for local space heaters. Please be advised of an important update to the regulatory landscape for local space heaters. From 1st July 2025, Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1103 will apply to all local space heaters placed on the Irish and European market, superseding the previous Regulation (EU) 2015/1188. These new rules are part of the EU's broader European Green Deal and 'Fit for 55' package, designed to drive energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and foster a circular economy. Compliance is a legal obligation.
As the Market Surveillance Authority of energy-related products in Ireland, SEAI is here to ensure you are fully informed and compliant. Familiarise yourself with the list of specific obligations that your business needs to be aware of in our Notice for economic operators on local space heaters.
We are pleased to share that our Building Services team is actively involved in ENERTP2020, a comprehensive four-year programme that runs from December 2021 to December 2025. Coordinated by PROSAFE, ENERTP2020 is committed to testing various energy-related products to ensure they meet Eco-design and Energy Labelling standards.
Our team's specific focus is on the testing of air-to-water heat pumps. Joining forces with 12 accredited laboratories from 9 EU Member States, the initiative seeks to strengthen market surveillance and lower non-compliance rates for energy-related goods.
This engagement aligns seamlessly with ENERTP2020's overarching goals: to help Market Surveillance Authorities evaluate current market practices, ensure the attainment of the 2030 Energy Efficiency Targets, and boost consumer confidence in the energy-saving capabilities of products on the market.
Enhancing the energy efficiency of water heaters. The Building Services team is engaged in EEPLIANT3, a comprehensive European initiative centred on market surveillance for energy-efficient appliances. Supported by the EU's Horizon 2020 programme, the EEPLIANT3 project is operational from June 2019 until November 2023 and is overseen by PROSAFE.
Significantly, the Building Services team is responsible for Work Package 9, which focuses on improving energy efficiency standards for water heaters. This specialised focus aims to bolster market compliance and advance energy-saving measures in hot water systems.
Appliances
Changes to Ecodesign and Energy Labelling requirements for tumble dryers. Commission Regulation (EU) No 932/2012 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 392/2012 are replaced by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2533 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2534.
Most of the requirements of the new regulations are applicable from 1st July 2025, and impact manufacturers, importers, suppliers and dealers of tumble dryer products. SEAI has issued a notice to guide economic operators and get more information about these new requirements. You can review the notice by clicking the link: Notice for economic operators on tumble dryers.
Some updated maximum energy efficiency index (EEI) values and functional requirements applied from the 1st of March 2024.
These changes will impact manufacturers and importers of refrigerating appliances, dishwashers, washing machines, and washer-dryers of certain energy efficiency classes.
The MSA is reminding manufacturers and importers to ensure they understand the new requirements and how they can affect existing and upcoming supply chain arrangements.
SEAI has issued a notice to guide economic operators to follow these updates.
IT related products
Product-specific regulations are frequently updated. This ensures that energy labelling and ecodesign requirements keep up with the current market and ongoing technological upgrades.
In 2023, two regulations on ecodesign and energy labelling for mobile phones and tablets were published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 for the energy labelling of smartphones and slate tablets, and Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 for ecodesign requirements for smartphones, mobile phones other than smartphones, cordless phones, and slate tablets, applied starting from June 20th 2025.
SEAI has issued two notices to guide economic operators:
Additional resources related to these products can be found on the European Commission website.
Industrial products
The EU ecodesign requirements for electric motors and variable speed drives (VSDs) were updated in 2019 and entered into force in 2021. The new regulation covers a wider range of motors and sets stricter efficiency requirements.
Key changes include:
- three-phase motors with a rated output between 0.75kW and 1000kW must now meet the IE3 efficiency level, and motors between 75kW and 200kW must meet the IE4 level.
- all VSDs in scope must now reach the IE2 efficiency level.
The new regulation is expected to save around 110 TWh of energy per year by 2030, equivalent to the Netherlands' electricity consumption. This will also reduce CO2 emissions by 40 million tonnes per year and save EU households and businesses around €20 billion per year.
New Ecodesign requirements for industrial fans
The EU has introduced an updated Ecodesign Regulation for industrial fans. Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1834 entered into force in July 2024 and will apply from 24 July 2026, replacing Regulation (EU) 327/2011. The transition period allows suppliers time to review products and prepare for the new requirements.
Key changes:
The updated regulation reflects advances in technology and the need to reduce energy use and emissions from widely used industrial fans. The new regulation introduces:
- Stricter efficiency requirements aligned with current technologies
- Greater focus on real-life performance, including part-load and variable speed operation
- Clearer scope and product definitions
- More detailed technical documentation and product information requirements
- New repairability and spare parts provisions, supporting longer product lifecycles
What this means for businesses:
Manufacturers and importers should act now to prepare for July 2026 by:
- Reviewing product ranges against new efficiency thresholds
- Identifying products that may require redesign or further testing
- Assessing compliance with updated performance and testing requirements
- Updating technical documentation and Declarations of Conformity
Products that comply today may not meet the new requirements, so early action is recommended. For more information:
To meet with the new Regulation, visit: EU Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1834
Lighting products
The European Commission is gradually replacing the old label format (with a blue border) with the new rescaled energy label (ranging from A to G only) for all product categories.
Consumers have been able to search the database for energy labels and product information sheets as of March 2021 for the first rescaled product categories.
The old label, which may have been previously placed on the market, was still allowed to be sold until March 2023. After this date, all products must carry the new label. The label can be displayed in both colour and black and white.