Throughout the EU, lamps are required to display an Energy Label indicating the efficiency class – from A to G – to which they conform. "A" identifies a particularly efficient consumer, "G" an energy waster. The label also shows the lamp's electricity consumption.

According to EU Directive 92/75/EEC, labelling is required for two groups of lamps:

> household lamps – which include incandescent lamps and energy-saving lamps
> household fluorescent lamps – which include linear fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps with pin base.