Attribute Guide

certification Attribute in Google Shopping: EU Energy Labels & EPREL Guide

Q: What products require the certification attribute in the EU?

The certification attribute is required for products covered by EU energy labelling regulations — products that must display an EU energy label. This includes: household appliances (washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, tumble dryers, combined washer-dryers), electronic displays (televisions, monitors), lighting products (lamps and luminaires), air conditioners, water heaters and storage water heaters, space heaters, and vacuum cleaners. The specific scope is defined by EU Regulation 2017/1369 and its delegated regulations. When in doubt, check whether your product has an EPREL registration.

Q: What are the sub-attributes of certification and how do I format them?

The certification attribute has three sub-attributes: certification_authority — the organisation that issued the certification. For EU energy labels, use EC (European Commission). certification_name — the name of the certification standard. For EU energy labels, use EPREL. certification_code — the unique certification ID. For EPREL, this is the numeric EPREL product ID (e.g., 1234567). Example submission: certification_authority: EC, certification_name: EPREL, certification_code: 1234567.

Q: What changed in April 2025 regarding energy labels?

Before April 2025, EU merchants used the energy_efficiency_class, min_energy_efficiency_class, and max_energy_efficiency_class attributes to display energy labels on Shopping listings. Since April 2025, the EU-mandated approach is to use the certification attribute with EPREL codes instead. The older energy_efficiency_class attributes are now only applicable for Switzerland, Norway, and the UK — which are not EU members and use a different regulatory framework.

Q: My product is sold in both the EU and the UK. Which attribute do I use?

For EU markets: use certification with certification_name = EPREL and the product's EPREL code. For UK market: use the legacy energy_efficiency_class attributes (the UK has its own energy label regulation post-Brexit that is not linked to EPREL). If you have a single feed for both EU and UK, you may need separate feeds or feed rules to apply the correct attributes per target country.

Q: Can Boostora populate certification codes automatically?

Boostora can read and pass through certification data when EPREL codes are present in your source product data or feed. Boostora does not query the EPREL database to look up codes on your behalf, and does not verify whether a product's EPREL registration is current or accurate. EPREL registration is the manufacturer's legal responsibility — the codes should be sourced from the manufacturer's documentation, their EPREL entries, or your product catalogue if it includes EPREL IDs.

Complete guide to the certification attribute in Google Merchant Center. EU energy efficiency labels via EPREL database, certification_authority,…

Updated 13 May 20264 min readBoostora Team

certification — Energy Label: Missing vs. Correctly Submitted

Bosch Serie 4 Freestanding Dishwasher SMS4HVW00G

€549.00appliances-store.de

Energy: BEPREL: 1234567EU Regulation

Energy efficiency class shown in listing → regulatory compliance → shoppers can compare energy ratings

Bosch Serie 4 Freestanding Dishwasher SMS4HVW00G

€549.00appliances-store.de

EU-regulated product missing EPREL certification → no energy label shown → non-compliant listing → may be disapproved in EU markets

Since April 2025, EU merchants must use the certification attribute (pointing to the EPREL database) rather than the legacy energy_efficiency_class attribute for energy-labelled products in EU markets. Missing certification on regulated products can result in product disapproval.

What is the certification attribute?

The certification attribute provides structured information about a product’s official certification — most commonly an EU energy efficiency label linked to the EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labelling) database. It uses three sub-attributes: certification_authority, certification_name, and certification_code.

Since April 2025, EU merchants selling energy-labelled products (appliances, displays, lighting, and other regulated categories) must submit certification data via this attribute rather than the legacy energy_efficiency_class attributes. Missing certification on applicable EU products can result in disapproval of those listings in EU markets.

Technical specifications

Feed name	`certification`
Required	Yes — for EU-regulated energy-labelled products sold in EU markets (since April 2025)
Sub-attributes	`certification_authority`, `certification_name`, `certification_code`
For EU energy labels	`authority: EC`, `name: EPREL`, `code: [numeric EPREL ID]`
Repeatable	Yes — a product can have multiple certifications (e.g., energy label + safety certification)
Applicable markets	EU countries. For CH/NO/UK, use `energy_efficiency_class` instead.

EU energy label categories (products requiring certification)

Washing machines and washer-dryers
Household dishwashers
Refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage appliances
Tumble dryers
Electronic displays (TVs, monitors, digital signage)
Lamps and luminaires (light sources)
Air conditioners and comfort fans
Water heaters and hot water storage tanks
Space heaters and combination heaters
Vacuum cleaners
Professional refrigerated storage cabinets

The definitive list is governed by EU Regulation 2017/1369 and its delegated product-specific regulations. When unsure, check the EPREL database — if your product model appears there, it requires the certification attribute.

How to find your product’s EPREL code

Navigate to eprel.ec.europa.eu
Search by supplier name (manufacturer) and model identifier
Open the product’s detail page
The numeric ID in the URL path is your certification_code
Example: URL .../dishwashers2019/1234567 → code = 1234567

EPREL codes are registered by manufacturers. If a product has not been registered in EPREL, contact the manufacturer — they are legally required to register energy-labelled products before placing them on the EU market.

Rules

For EU energy-labelled products: use certification_authority = EC and certification_name = EPREL
Do not use energy_efficiency_class for EU products — it is deprecated for EU since April 2025
The EPREL code must match the specific product model — do not use a similar model’s code
Keep EPREL codes current — if a product’s energy label rating changes (new regulation or product update), update the code
For UK, Switzerland, Norway: continue using energy_efficiency_class + min + max

Best practices

Source EPREL codes from manufacturers — the most reliable source is the manufacturer’s product datasheet or their EPREL registration confirmation. Do not attempt to guess or derive codes.
Audit your EU appliance/display/lighting catalogue for EPREL coverage — run a Diagnostics check in Merchant Center filtered to EU-eligible product categories to identify which products are missing certification data.
For multi-country feeds — use supplemental feeds or feed rules to apply certification for EU-targeted products and energy_efficiency_class for UK/CH/NO-targeted products, since the two attributes are mutually exclusive by target market.

Common mistakes

Continuing to use energy_efficiency_class for EU products after April 2025 — the attribute is now only for non-EU markets
Using an EPREL code for a different variant or model — codes are model-specific; a 60cm and a 45cm dishwasher from the same range have separate EPREL registrations
Omitting for regulated EU categories — can cause product disapproval
Using free-text values for certification_authority or certification_name instead of the exact required strings (EC and EPREL)
Not updating EPREL codes when a product’s EU energy label re-rating occurs under new delegated regulations

Frequently asked questions

What products require the certification attribute in the EU?

The certification attribute is required for products covered by EU energy labelling regulations — products that must display an EU energy label. This includes: household appliances (washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, tumble dryers, combined washer-dryers), electronic displays (televisions, monitors), lighting products (lamps and luminaires), air conditioners, water heaters and storage water heaters, space heaters, and vacuum cleaners. The specific scope is defined by EU Regulation 2017/1369 and its delegated regulations. When in doubt, check whether your product has an EPREL registration.

What is the EPREL database and how do I find my product's code?

EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labelling) is the official EU database where manufacturers register products that require an energy label. Each product receives a unique numeric EPREL ID. To find your product's EPREL code: (1) go to eprel.ec.europa.eu, (2) search by model name, supplier name, or category, (3) locate your specific product model, and (4) note the numeric ID from the product's EPREL page URL (e.g., 1234567 from https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/screen/product/dishwashers2019/1234567). This ID is your certification_code.

What are the sub-attributes of certification and how do I format them?

The certification attribute has three sub-attributes: certification_authority — the organisation that issued the certification. For EU energy labels, use EC (European Commission). certification_name — the name of the certification standard. For EU energy labels, use EPREL. certification_code — the unique certification ID. For EPREL, this is the numeric EPREL product ID (e.g., 1234567). Example submission: certification_authority: EC, certification_name: EPREL, certification_code: 1234567.

What changed in April 2025 regarding energy labels?

Before April 2025, EU merchants used the energy_efficiency_class, min_energy_efficiency_class, and max_energy_efficiency_class attributes to display energy labels on Shopping listings. Since April 2025, the EU-mandated approach is to use the certification attribute with EPREL codes instead. The older energy_efficiency_class attributes are now only applicable for Switzerland, Norway, and the UK — which are not EU members and use a different regulatory framework.

My product is sold in both the EU and the UK. Which attribute do I use?

For EU markets: use certification with certification_name = EPREL and the product's EPREL code. For UK market: use the legacy energy_efficiency_class attributes (the UK has its own energy label regulation post-Brexit that is not linked to EPREL). If you have a single feed for both EU and UK, you may need separate feeds or feed rules to apply the correct attributes per target country.

Can Boostora populate certification codes automatically?

Boostora can read and pass through certification data when EPREL codes are present in your source product data or feed. Boostora does not query the EPREL database to look up codes on your behalf, and does not verify whether a product's EPREL registration is current or accurate. EPREL registration is the manufacturer's legal responsibility — the codes should be sourced from the manufacturer's documentation, their EPREL entries, or your product catalogue if it includes EPREL IDs.