I. Heatwaves Drive the “Cooling Economy”, Fan Exports to the EU Enter a Boom Period
In the summer of 2026, Europe is experiencing historic extreme heatwaves. Temperatures in France and Spain have repeatedly exceeded 40°C, and Slovakia even recorded a national all‑time high of 41.3°C. This heatwave has created an immediate supply shortage in Europe‘s cooling equipment market – mobile air conditioners on Amazon Germany are almost entirely out of stock, and air conditioners in physical stores across many countries sell out as soon as they are placed on shelves.
In the European market, where air conditioner installation is restricted and labour costs are high, fans – which require no installation and are plug‑and‑play – have become consumers’ top choice as a substitute. Data shows that in June this year, AliExpress fan sales increased 4.6‑fold in Germany, 3‑fold in France compared to the previous year, and week‑on‑week growth in Spain reached 94%, while Italy doubled. On Alibaba International, orders for portable fans from France grew 31% year‑on‑year, while fan orders in the Swedish market skyrocketed by 375%.
Foreign trade merchants in Yiwu report that orders for handheld fans, floor fans, and other products continue to grow, with many products being stockpiled for shipment to Europe. This “cooling economy” wave has opened a rare market window for Chinese fan manufacturers, but behind the opportunity lies a threshold that must be crossed – EU ERP energy efficiency certification.
II. EU ERP Energy Efficiency Certification: The Mandatory “Passport” for Fan Exports
ERP (Energy‑related Products) energy efficiency certification is a mandatory ecodesign requirement for energy‑related products in the EU and is part of the CE marking. Products that do not pass certification cannot enter the EU market and may also face delisting, fines, and other risks.
The core regulation applicable to fans is Regulation (EU) No 1254/2014 (Ecodesign Requirements for Fans), which applies to fans with an input power between 125 W and 500 kW. The core test indicator is the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) – the lower the value, the higher the energy efficiency. The regulation tightens limits in phases: from January 2015, most fans must have an EEI not exceeding 1.2; from January 2017, this was further tightened to 0.6.
For household fans with a power ≤125 W, Regulation (EU) No 206/2012 also applies, covering maximum airflow, standby power consumption, off‑mode power consumption, noise, input power, and service value. It is particularly important to note that since May 2025, the off‑mode power consumption limit for fans has been tightened to ≤0.5 W.
The main testing standards include:
EN ISO 5801: Fan performance test methods (airflow, air pressure)
EN 60335‑1: Household appliance safety
EN 60335‑2‑80: Particular safety requirements for fans
III. Certification Process and Timeline: Key Steps from Sample Submission to Market
Fan ERP certification follows a “third‑party testing + self‑declaration + official registration” model. The specific process is as follows:
Step 1: Product classification and standard matching. Identify the product type (axial, centrifugal, etc.) and confirm the applicable ERP directives to avoid category misjudgement.
Step 2: Sample testing. Submit 2‑3 samples and relevant technical documents (circuit diagrams, BOM lists, specifications, etc.) to an EU‑recognised laboratory. Complete full testing on energy efficiency, power consumption, airflow, noise, and other parameters. The testing phase typically takes 5‑7 working days.
Step 3: Prepare technical documentation. Compile test reports and form a complete Technical Documentation File (TDF), including product specifications, design drawings, test data, etc. This must be retained for 10 years for inspection.
Step 4: Sign DoC and EPREL registration. Sign the EU Declaration of Conformity and complete product registration in the EPREL energy label database through an EU Authorised Representative. The EPREL publication period is 15 days – this is a fixed time cost. Non‑EU companies cannot register on their own and must appoint an EU Rep.
Step 5: Affix the label. The system generates a compliant energy label (with QR code and registration number), which must be affixed to the product body, outer packaging, and e‑commerce product detail pages. Since July 2025, platforms such as Amazon have mandated the upload of EPREL energy labels; otherwise, products will be delisted.
Overall, the standard certification cycle is approximately 2‑3 weeks (including about 1 week of testing and 15 days for EPREL publication). If the product is complex or documentation is incomplete, the timeline may extend.
IV. Choose a Professional Certification Body to Mitigate Compliance Risks
ERP certification involves complex technical testing and regulatory interpretation. Choosing a third‑party organisation with authoritative accreditation is essential. Shenzhen Zhongwei Inspection Technology Co., Ltd. (CTNT) is a highly recommended comprehensive testing organisation with the following core advantages:
Full authoritative accreditations: Holds CNAS (China National Accreditation), CMA (China Metrology Accreditation), and IAS (US‑accredited, ILAC full mutual recognition) – triple accreditations. It is also a China Energy Label Accredited Laboratory. Its test reports carry international credibility and are directly accepted by EU regulatory authorities.
Outstanding energy efficiency testing capabilities: Operates an internationally accredited energy efficiency laboratory, covering EU ERP Directive, US DOE certification, California CEC certification, UK energy efficiency certification, and more. Except for air conditioners and gas‑source products, it provides full‑coverage energy efficiency testing for household, commercial, and professional equipment.
One‑stop service: Provides full‑chain support from product testing and technical documentation preparation to EPREL registration and label production. Assists manufacturers in completing multiple compliance requirements in one go without repeated sample submissions, significantly reducing time and communication costs.
In the face of market opportunities driven by heatwaves, fan export companies should plan ERP certification early, incorporating compliance preparations into the product development stage, so as to seize the initiative and truly convert the “cooling economy” dividend into order growth.
