Directive 2010/30/EU requires the Commission to adopt delegated acts as regards the labelling of energy-related products representing significant potential for energy savings and having a wide disparity in performance levels with equivalent functionality.

The electricity used by air conditioners accounts for a significant part of total household and commercial electricity demand in the Union. In addition to the energy efficiency improvements already achieved, the scope for further reducing the energy consumption of air conditioners is substantial.

Directive 2002/31/EC should be repealed and new provisions should be laid down by this Regulation in order to ensure that the energy label provides dynamic incentives for manufacturers to further improve the energy efficiency of air conditioners and to accelerate the market transformation towards energy-efficient technologies.

The provisions of this Regulation should apply to air-to-air air conditioners up to 12 kW cooling power output (or heating power output, if only heating function is provided).

Technological developments in the energy efficiency improvement of air conditioners have been very rapid in recent years. This has allowed several third-countries to introduce stringent minimum energy efficiency requirements and led to a process of introducing new energy labelling schemes based on seasonal performance. Today's appliances, excluding single and double duct air conditioners, that achieve the highest efficiency levels have largely surpassed the A efficiency levels established by Directive 2002/31/EC.

This Regulation introduces two energy efficiency scales based on the primary function and on specific aspects important to consumer. Given that air conditioners are used mainly in part-load conditions, the efficiency testing should be changed to a seasonal efficiency measurement method, except for single and double duct air conditioners. The seasonal measurement method takes better into account the benefits of the inverter driven technology and the conditions in which these appliances are used. The new efficiency calculation method with an Ecodesign implementing measure setting minimum energy efficiency requirements higher than the current A level, will lead to a reclassification of these appliances. Consequently, split, window and wall air conditioners should have a new A-G energy efficiency class scale with a ‘+’ added on the top of the scale every two years until the A+++ class has been reached.

For double duct and single duct air conditioners, steady-state energy efficiency performance indicators should continue to be applied, as there are currently no inverter units on the market. As no reclassification of these appliances is appropriate, single and double duct air conditioners should have an A+++-D scale. While these, inherently less efficient than split appliances, can go only up to an A+ energy efficiency class in a scale of A+++-D, the more efficient split appliances can reach up to the A+++ energy efficiency class.

This Regulation should ensure that consumers get more accurate comparative information about the performance of air conditioners.

The noise level of an air conditioner could be an important aspect for end-users. In order to enable them to make an informed decision, information on noise emissions should be included on the label of air conditioners.

This Regulation should specify a uniform design and requirements as to the content of labels for air conditioners.

In addition, this Regulation should specify requirements as to the technical documentation and the fiche for air conditioners.

Moreover, this Regulation should specify requirements as to the information to be provided for any form of distance selling, advertisements and technical promotional material of air conditioners.

It is appropriate to provide for a review of the provisions of this Regulation taking into account technological progress.

In order to facilitate the transition from Directive 2002/31/EC to this Regulation, air conditioners labelled in accordance with this Regulation should be considered compliant with Directive 2002/31/EC.

Suppliers wishing to place on the market air conditioners that can meet the requirements for higher energy efficiency classes should be allowed to provide labels showing those classes in advance of the date for mandatory display of such classes.

Directive 2002/31/EC should therefore be repealed,