EU-organised testing of 14 home air cooling conditioners for sale in the EU found that they comply with the energy efficiency requirements set out in European regulations. However, three did not fully meet EU requirements for ecodesign and energy labelling. The tests were an outcome of a campaign led by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW).
The 14 products are from 10 manufacturers and all but one are manufactured outside the EU. National market surveillance authorities sampled them in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Malta and Romania. They were selected online and in physical stores based on a market research risk-based approach and were not intended to be representative of the market.
Four portable, single and double-duct air conditioners, and 10 split systems, with a maximum capacity of 12 kW were tested by an accredited laboratory in Italy. Only the cooling function was tested. The focus was on compliance with product information requirements in the EU’s ecodesign and energy labelling regulation.
Checks were done for the presence of the energy label on the product and in technical documents, the availability and correctness of the product fiche, and whether the product is listed in the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL).
Documentation issues
All 14 products had the energy label attached and the energy label and information sheet in the promotional material. However, in three products the information sheet was incomplete or did not reflect performance. One of these three was also not listed in EPREL.
Market surveillance authorities contacted the manufacturers to correct the shortcomings. They highlighted the high level of compliance achieved by most of the products after the regulation has been in force for more than 10 years and after a number of amendments. This indicates an opportunity to revise the regulation to raise the bar and drive even greater efficiency and innovation.
Recommendations for consumers and manufacturers
In their recommendations, market surveillance authorities advise consumers to check specifications and energy labels carefully before buying an air conditioner, and to ensure that it meets their needs. While not mandatory, some manufacturers could include a QR code on the product to assist consumers, which can provide a direct link to the official product information sheet or the EPREL database. This can help homeowners decide which products are best suited for their needs. They should consult a certified installer to ensure optimum performance.
Manufacturers and importers of air conditioners are advised to perform a conformity assessment before placing them on the EU market and register them in EPREL. Verification of the accuracy of supplier documentation and the use of accredited bodies to test performance and prompt implementation of corrective measures are vital.
‘Market surveillance campaigns like this are crucial to protect consumers and also businesses in the single market from unfair competition by those who do not comply with the rules,’ said Vanessa Capurso, Policy Officer at DG GROW.
‘The outcome of these tests confirms that regular market surveillance campaigns are effective in enforcing EU regulations.’
JACOP 2024
The testing was done as part of the Joint Actions on Compliance of Products (JACOP) 2024 across the EU and EFTA countries. The aim of the project is to ensure a safe single market by strengthening cooperation between market surveillance authorities and to coordinate approaches to testing. They jointly test products, determine their risks and ensure that manufacturers take corrective action. A total of 16 types of products were tested.
More information
Contact: jacop2024
esn [dot] eu (jacop2024[at]esn[dot]eu)
Details
- Publication date
- 24 November 2025
- Author
- Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs