28 August, 2026

Research from the European Commission found that more than half of environmental claims are vague, misleading or unfounded. So, when a washing machine, fridge or TV promises to be “eco-friendly”, how do you know whether it actually is?

One answer might already be sitting on the product label.

The European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) is a free public database containing performance data for more than two million products sold across Europe and UK. Scan the QR code on an appliance’s energy label and you can find information beyond the marketing claims, including energy consumption, water use, noise levels and other performance measures.

What makes EPREL especially useful is that it helps you compare products based on data rather than claims. Looking for the most energy-efficient washing machine? Or a dishwasher that uses less water and won’t sound like it’s preparing for take-off? You can filter and compare products based on what matters to you. The catch? An EU survey found that more than half of shoppers had never noticed the QR code on an energy label.

So perhaps the challenge isn’t a lack of transparency, but making the data we already have easier to find and use. So if you or someone you know is weighing up a new appliance, it might be worth checking the data before making the decision.

By Sirisha Venkatesh