Obtaining and Applying the EPREL and Electronic Seal: A Step-by-Step Guide
Streamlined Qe-Seal Verification Process for Energy-Efficient Product Registration
The European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) has implemented a streamlined process for manufacturers and distributors to verify their identity and register their energy-efficient products. This process involves the use of a Qualified Electronic Seal (Qe-Seal), a digital signature issued to companies or organizations that guarantees the origin, authenticity, and integrity of documents related to their products.
To begin, manufacturers and distributors must obtain a Qe-Seal certificate from an eIDAS-accredited Certification Authority (CA). This process includes verifying the legal identity and attributes of the company according to eIDAS regulation standards, using official business registers such as the European e-Justice Portal or national registries for legal entities. Once the verification is complete, the CA issues a Qe-Seal certificate, which is recognized as qualified under EU law and compliant with eIDAS requirements.
With the Qe-Seal certificate in hand, the authorized representative of the company can sign and seal the generated verification file on EPREL. This step ensures the authenticity and integrity of the registered data, as required by EU legislation for energy-related products.
The Qe-Seal is not tied to a specific individual, allowing a company to continue using it even if the person who initially requested or authorized it leaves the organization. The Supplier Admin, who is the individual who first creates the organization's profile on the EPREL portal, is responsible for adding Additional Supplier Admins, Supplier Users, or Supplier Readers to the organization's profile later.
Since January 1, 2019, manufacturers and distributors of electronic appliances have been required to register their products in EPREL to obtain the energy label. Starting from March 1, 2022, they must not only register their products but also verify their identity on the EPREL portal. EU Login can be obtained through a simple registration process, which must be completed under an individual's name.
The Qe-Seal is similar to a Qualified Electronic Signature, but it is issued to a company or organization rather than an individual. The energy label, which is the same label we have all seen on appliances displayed in stores, must be placed on the product's packaging to inform consumers about its energy consumption characteristics.
Moreover, the Qe-Seal will verify that the organization has its registered office in the EU, EEA, or Northern Ireland. It will also verify the authorization of the Supplier Admin to register appliances in EPREL on behalf of the organization. The method for applying the Qe-Seal to the PDF depends on the Certification Authority issuing the seal.
In summary, the Qe-Seal verification process on the EPREL portal ensures trusted digital identification and legally binding data submissions for electronic appliances under EU regulations. By following these steps, manufacturers and distributors can demonstrate their commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
| Step | Description | |-------|-------------| | Obtain Qe-Seal Certificate | Request a Qe-Seal certificate from an eIDAS-accredited Certification Authority[1]. | | Identity Verification | The manufacturing or distributing company's identity and attributes are verified by the CA using official European or national business registers[1]. | | Qe-Seal Issuance | The CA issues a Qualified Electronic Seal certificate compliant with eIDAS standards[1]. | | EPREL Signing | The authorized representative uses the Qe-Seal to sign and seal the generated verification file on EPREL, certifying product data authenticity[2]. |
[1] European Commission. (2020). eIDAS - Electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12538-EU-electronic-identification-and-trust-services-for-electronic-transactions-in-the-internal-market
[2] European Commission. (2020). European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/labelling_appliances/eprel_en
