Inspections are being carried out at around 100 retail outlets throughout Ireland to check if they are displaying energy labels in accordance with the European Union (EU) regulations.

Between now and Christmas the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will be carrying out the checks as part of a new responsibility for ensuring that products covered by the EU Energy Labelling Directive, sold in Ireland, comply with the regulations. SEAI is undertaking the work on behalf of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

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Retailers are required by law to correctly display an energy label on a variety of household appliances including fridges, tumble dryers, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners. Displaying the energy label provides consumers with information regarding the energy efficiency of a product, helping them to make more informed purchasing decisions, resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower energy bills. SEAI will also be inspecting the websites of online retailers to ensure that they too are complying with the regulations.

Jim Gannon, CEO at SEAI, said: "Consumers will buy more energy efficient products with the help of an energy label. We want the retailer to ensure this information is provided and indeed promoted at the point of sale. The better we get at promoting and selling the best-rated energy efficient products, the closer we will come to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels."

(CD/LM)