The European Commission has published a draft regulation shaping a common EU-wide rating scheme for data centres in the EU. It invites the public to provide feedback on the document over the next 4 weeks.
The information and communication technology (ICT) sector is one of the fastest-growing in Europe and globally. Its expansion poses a challenge not only in terms of energy consumption, but also for electricity grids, carbon emissions and environmental resources such as water. The EU’s digital strategy has already emphasised the need for highly efficient data centres, which are crucial for the competitiveness and sustainability of European industries.
In March 2024, the Commission introduced legislation on a European database on data centres and a reporting scheme for the collection of information and key performance indicators to be used for the EU rating scheme (EU/2024/1364). This marked a first step towards establishing a common EU rating scheme for data centres.
As a second step, the regulation currently available for feedback sets out rules on how to use the information collected for rating data centres. The rating will be available via electronic labels, issued automatically by the European database on data centres. The aim of the rating scheme is to make the energy use of data centres more transparent and to become a resource that will inform better policy-making and procurement of more sustainable digital assets and services across Europe.
The rating scheme is expected to make it easier to compare different data centres in a same region and promote new designs or appropriate efficiency in data centres. These designs and interventions should not only lead to a considerable reduction of energy and water consumption, but also promote the use of renewable energy, re-use of waste heat in nearby facilities and heat networks, as well as to make the grid more efficient.
The regulation is scheduled for adoption in the second quarter of 2026, as part of a data centre energy efficiency package.
Input from this consultation will directly inform the Commission’s preparations. Stakeholders and citizens are invited to share their input by 23 April 2026.
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