EU Commission proposes EU-wide sustainability label for high-capacity data centres
The European Commission unveiled a plan to introduce a common classification system for data centres using more than 500 kW, aiming to improve transparency on energy and water use.
The European Commission announced a new classification framework that will apply to data centres exceeding 500 kW of capacity throughout the Union. The scheme is designed to provide clear information on actual energy and water usage, supporting the sector's sustainable integration into the European power grid. It will also assess contributions such as residual heat reuse, on-site clean-energy generation and operational flexibility.
Brussels highlighted that reusing roughly half of the continent's data-centre waste heat could meet the heating demand of four million households. Labels indicating sustainability performance are slated for rollout in 2027, with an effectiveness review planned by the close of 2028.
