Learn how to correctly integrate energy labelling information into your Unite catalogue to comply with legal requirements.
Unite requires the following mandatory information for energy labelling:
Product‘s energy efficiency class
Energy efficiency label as a product image
Product data sheet with technical details
Use your XML or CSV catalogue, or a separate CSV conditions file, to efficiently transmit the required data.
An energy efficiency label shows how energy-efficient a product is. It helps customers assess how economical an item is compared to others in the same category, particularly using a colour scale from green (A – very efficient) to red (G – highest consumption).
The energy efficiency label aims to contribute to the saving of energy, reduce costs for consumers and protect the environment.
Example of an energy efficiency label for household washing machines:
For detailed information, please visit: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32017R1369
a) Household appliances
Refrigerating appliances
Washing machines
Washer dryers
Dishwashers
Electric ovens
Kitchen hoods
b) Electronic devices
Televisions and electronic displays (e.g. monitors, digital signage displays)
Smartphones and tablets
c) Lighting
Light sources and lamps (e.g. LED lamps, fluorescent tubes)
d) Heating and water heating devices
Space heaters (e.g. boilers)
Combination heaters
Water heaters (e.g. instantaneous water heaters)
Hot water storage tanks
e) Air conditioning devices
Air conditioners
Air-to-air heat pumps
Residential ventilation units
f) Commercial appliances (partially)
Refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function (e.g. commercial refrigerators)
g) Tyres
Tyres of classes C1 (passenger cars), C2 (light commercial vehicles) and C3 (heavy-duty vehicles)
For detailed information, please visit: https://www.bfe.admin.ch/bfe/en/home/efficiency/energy-labels-and-efficiency-requirements.html
a) Household appliances
Refrigerators and freezers
Washing machines
Clothes dryers
Dishwashers
Ovens
Hobs
Kitchen hoods
Coffee machines
Vacuum cleaners
Air conditioning units
b) Electronic devices
Electronic displays (e.g. monitors, digital signage displays)
Set-top boxes
Standby and network devices
Computers and servers
Smartphones and tablets
c) Lighting
Light bulbs and light sources (e.g. LED lamps, fluorescent tubes)
d) Heating and hot water devices
Space heaters (e.g. boilers)
Combination heaters
Water heaters (e.g. instantaneous water heaters)
Hot water storage tanks
Local space heaters
Ventilation systems
e) Commercial equipment (partially)
Refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function (e.g. commercial refrigerators)
Commercial kitchen equipment
Commercial dishwashers
Commercial refrigerated storage cabinets
f) Electrical machines
Electric motors
Transformers
Welding equipment
g) Passenger cars
h) Tyres
For detailed information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-energy-labelling-of-products
Air conditioners and comfort fans
Dishwashers
Domestic ovens, hobs and kitchen hoods
Electronic displays, including televisions
Lighting products
Local space heaters
Professional refrigerated storage cabinets, blast cabinets, condensing units and process chillers
Refrigerating appliances
Refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function
Smartphones (mobile phones, tablets, etc.)
Solid fuel boilers
Solid fuel local space heaters
Space heaters
Household tumble driers
Ventilation units
Washing machines and washer dryers
Water heaters, hot water storage tanks and packages of water heater and solar device
According to legal regulations, retailers must display the energy efficiency label prominently on a product. Additionally, a product data sheet must be included with each item.
Both documents must also be clearly visible in online offerings.
To comply with our display obligations on Unite, we rely on you as a supplier to provide complete information and documents. Labelling your products in the catalogue is therefore mandatory. The following section explains how to implement this.
For all products in the above categories, the following information is mandatory:
1. Energy efficiency class
Please include the energy efficiency class in the <ARTICLE_FEATURES>. More details are provided below.
2. Energy efficiency label as a product image
Please include the energy efficiency label for each relevant item as a product image. For more information, see our support article on product images and visuals.
3. Product data sheet with technical details
Please also include a product data sheet for each affected item. For more information, see our support article on product data sheets.
The energy consumption labelling is transmitted in the <ARTICLE_FEATURES> of the item. Here‘s an example:
<ARTICLE_FEATURES>
<FEATURE>
<FNAME>energy_efficiency_class</FNAME>
<FVALUE>A</FVALUE>
</FEATURE>
</ARTICLE_FEATURES>To transmit the energy efficiency label as a product image, use the MIME_PURPOSE element with the fixed term ‘energy_efficiency_class_label’.
<MIME_INFO>
<MIME>
<MIME_TYPE>image/jpeg</MIME_TYPE>
<MIME_SOURCE>eec_01.jpg</MIME_SOURCE>
<MIME_DESCR>energylabel</MIME_DESCR>
<MIME_PURPOSE>energy_efficiency_class_label</MIME_PURPOSE>
</MIME>
</MIME_INFO>If it‘s not possible to include the energy consumption labelling in XML format, you can transmit it via a separate CSV file (conditions file). More information can be found on this support page: Conditions file (CSV).
Transfer the modified catalogue file via SFTP to the corresponding directory as usual.
If you‘re using our Excel template for catalogue creation, please enter the energy consumption labelling in the ‘products file’ in the columns FNAME1, FVALUE1, FNAME2, FVALUE2, etc. 1, FVALUE1, FNAME2, FVALUE2, etc.
If the FVALUE columns are already occupied by other attributes, simply use the next available column. If all columns are occupied, you can transmit the data via a separate CSV file. More on this in the next section.
To transmit the energy efficiency label as a product image, use the MIME_PURPOSE element with the fixed term ‘energy_efficiency_class_label’.
Energy efficiency labels can be specified in the ‘products file’ from column MIME_SOURCE1 onwards. It‘s mandatory to specify ‘energy_efficiency_class_label’ in the MIME_PURPOSE column.
Please transfer the modified catalogue file to the corresponding directory via SFTP as usual.
You can also transmit the energy consumption labelling information via a separate CSV file (conditions file).
If a CSV conditions file is already active for your catalogue, add the additional columns there and transfer the modified file via SFTP.
This is how the structure looks in Excel:
To transmit the energy efficiency label as a product image, use the MIME_PURPOSE element with the fixed term ‘energy_efficiency_class_label’.
Column | Example | Explanation |
SUPPLIER_AID | 122345 | Item number |
FEATURE_NAME1 | energy_efficiency_class | Fixed term |
FEATURE_VALUE1 | A | Specification of energy efficiency class |
MIME_SOURCE1 | eec_01.jpg | Name of the referenced image file including file extension |
MIME_TYPE1 | image/jpeg | Defined file type: |
MIME_PURPOSE1 | energy_efficiency_class_label | Fixed term |
Save the Excel table and then export it as a CSV file:
File > Save As > File type: "CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)"
File naming: CatalogueID_conditionsfile.csv
Transfer the separate CSV file to the SFTP directory associated with the catalogue. After the initial transfer, there may be a delay as the file needs to be activated in the system. Once this process is complete, we‘ll automatically send an email to the address specified in the catalogue management tool.
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