Obtaining and Applying the EPREL and Electronic Seal: A Guide
In the ever-evolving landscape of energy efficiency and product labelling, the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) has emerged as a key player. Established in 2018, EPREL aims to encourage the development of energy-efficient products by providing a centralised database for energy labels [1]. Since January 1, 2019, manufacturers and distributors of electronic appliances have been required to register their products in EPREL to obtain the energy label [2].
As of March 1, 2022, the registration process has become more stringent. Now, not only is product registration mandatory, but so is the verification of the manufacturer or distributor's identity on the EPREL portal [3]. To facilitate this, the Qualified Electronic Seal (Qe-Seal) has been introduced.
The Role of the Qe-Seal
The Qe-Seal, a digital signature issued to companies or organisations, not individuals, serves to certify the origin, authenticity, and integrity of documents, workflows, or corporate content [4]. It is similar to a Qualified Electronic Signature but is specifically designed for organisations. The Qe-Seal will verify that the organisation has its registered office in the EU, EEA, or Northern Ireland, and will also verify the authorisation of the "Supplier Admin" to register appliances in EPREL on behalf of the organisation [5].
The Verification Procedure
To complete the verification procedure and apply the Qe-Seal in EPREL, manufacturers and distributors must follow these key steps:
- Digital Identity Verification: Manufacturers and distributors must first verify their digital identity through authorized European digital identity providers or Trust Service Providers (TSPs) that comply with eIDAS regulation. This verification is mandatory to ensure legal recognition and security of electronic transactions in EPREL.
- Obtain a Qualified Electronic Seal Certificate: After identity verification, the company obtains a Qe-Seal certificate from an accredited TSP. This certificate enables the secure, legally compliant sealing of documents and product data submitted to EPREL.
- Use Qualified Signature Creation Devices (QSCD): The Qe-Seal must be created using a Qualified Signature Creation Device, which is certified hardware or software ensuring that the seal is created securely and cannot be forged or altered.
- Application in EPREL platform: Once the Qe-Seal is obtained and linked to the verified digital identity, manufacturers or distributors use it to sign and submit energy labelling data and declarations in the EPREL database.
- Supporting Documentation and Compliance: The sealed submission must include relevant product data matching regulatory requirements such as energy efficiency classes, technical parameters, and manufacturer identification, all digitally sealed for authenticity.
Additional Considerations
Companies can choose from various digital signature software and tools provided by TSPs and digital identity service providers to facilitate this process centrally or cloud-based, enhancing security and ease of use. Recent changes emphasise the extension of Qe-Seal obligation beyond traditional appliances to items like smartphones, reflecting tightening EU energy labelling rules [1].
In summary, the procedure requires reliable digital identity verification, acquisition of a qualified electronic seal certificate (using a certified device), and the electronic sealing of product data before submission to the EPREL database, all under the regulatory framework enforced since June 2025.
Further Steps in EPREL
EPREL has introduced a verification procedure within the portal, which must be completed by companies already registered. The verification procedure involves applying a Qe-Seal to a PDF document. To download the verification file, enter the name and email of the person who will apply the electronic seal and click on Start verification process from the organisation profile's Verification section.
For first-time users, creating an organisation's profile on EPREL is automatic upon accessing the portal without an invitation from another admin. The Supplier Admin, the individual who first creates the organisation's profile on the EPREL portal, can later add additional Supplier Admins, as well as Supplier Users or Supplier Readers.
Lastly, it's important to note that the energy label must be placed on the product's packaging to inform consumers about its energy consumption characteristics. By adhering to these regulations, manufacturers and distributors contribute to a more energy-efficient market, promoting sustainability and economic growth.
[1] EPREL - European Product Registry for Energy Labelling [2] Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2017 on the Energy Labelling of Products, amending Regulation (EU) No 617/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC [3] Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1281 of 13 July 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the energy labelling of electronic displays [4] Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC [5] Guidelines on the application of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC
Technology plays a crucial role in the strict verification procedure implemented by EPREL, as Qualified Electronics Signature (Qe-Seal) and digital identity verification are key components to ensure the authenticity and integrity of documents and product data submitted to the database. This technology is employed to certify the origin, authenticity, and integrity of documents, workflows, or corporate content, as well as to comply with the eIDAS regulation for legal recognition and security of electronic transactions in EPREL.
