EU: Commission adopts data centre sustainability rating scheme

On 21 September 2026, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation establishing a mandatory EU-wide sustainability rating scheme and electronic label for data centres (see Commission press release). The Delegated Regulation supplements the Energy Efficiency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/1791) and amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1364. The Regulation introduces a mandatory A-to-G label for data centres with an installed information technology power demand of at least 500 kW, grading them on Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) and displaying further indicators on the sourcing of energy, contribution to new energy asset capacity, flexibility to the grid and waste-heat reuse readiness. For more information, see our previous blog post on the July 2026 draft of the Regulation. Compared with the July 2026 draft, the adopted text contains some technical adjustments but does not introduce substantial changes. The Delegated Regulation is now subject to a two-month scrutiny period (extendable by a further two months) by the European Parliament and the Council before entering into force. The co-legislators have the right to object to the Delegated Regulation but cannot amend the text. The first sustainability labels for individual data centres are expected in 2027.  A first review of the scheme is foreseen by end-2028 to assess its effectiveness and possible improvements, if necessary. 

The Commission is also working on a proposal for new legislation on minimum energy performance for data centers, expected in Q2 2027.