ErP 2026 for Industrial Fans: What the New EU Ecodesign Rules Mean for Specifiers
On 24 July 2026, the EU's new ecodesign regulation for fans takes effect. The rules change which products can be placed on the EU market — and therefore which fans you as a specifier or buyer can commit to in new projects. Here's what you need to know before the deadline.
What is ErP 2026?
"ErP 2026" is the informal name for Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1834, adopted on 3 July 2024. It replaces the earlier fan regulation (EU) 327/2011 and raises the total efficiency requirement for all fans driven by electric motors between 125 W and 500 kW.
The regulation sits under the EU Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) which governs which energy-related products can be sold in the Union. ErP 2026 does not cover ventilation units — those still fall under (EU) 1253/2014, whose revision is still in draft.
Which fans are in scope?
In scope: stand-alone fans and fans built into other equipment (air handling units, heat pumps, refrigeration), 125 W – 500 kW.
New for 2026: dual-function smoke-extract fans (daily ventilation + smoke extraction) are now in scope. They were previously exempt. This is one of the larger practical changes and directly affects smoke-control projects.
Still exempt: explosion-proof fans (ATEX), fans for passenger and goods transport, and clothes-dryer fans. Comfort fans below 125 W fall under a separate regime.
From FMEG to FEG — a new way to measure
The old regulation used FMEG (Fan Motor Efficiency Grade). The new one uses FEG / N-grade (Fan Efficiency Grade) and measures total static efficiency at best efficiency point (BEP) across the complete assembly — impeller, motor, and drive train combined.
Two concrete differences versus 327/2011:
- The measurement reflects the whole fan's performance, not just the motor.
- Part-load performance must now be documented — curves at three different speeds.
Specific N-grade thresholds per fan type (axial, backward-curved centrifugal, radial, drum fan) are listed in Annex II of 2024/1834. Verify values against EUR-Lex before using them in technical documentation.
Transition dates — three times to track
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 24 July 2026 | New stand-alone fans must meet the requirements to be placed on the EU market. |
| 24 July 2027 | Transition ends for fans integrated into other products where the host product was placed on the market before 24 July 2026. |
| 24 July 2028 | Non-compliant fans may be placed on the market only as spare parts, clearly marked as such. |
Important for procurement: a fan lawfully placed on the market before 24 July 2026 can continue to be sold through the distribution chain. You can still buy existing stock after the deadline — but re-importing the same non-compliant model is not permitted.
What this means for your order
EC families generally pass. EBM Papst's AxiEco, AxiBlade, RadiCal, and RadiPac EC lines are positioned for ErP 2026 and actively marketed as "ErP 2026 ready".
Legacy AC axial lines are at risk. AMCA Europe estimates 35–40 % of underperforming axial fans will leave the general market after the deadline. The dominant swap pattern is AC → EC, often with energy savings as a side benefit because EC motors are more efficient across the full speed range.
Smoke-extract projects need particular attention. The old exemption for smoke-extract fans has been removed — if you have active smoke-control projects above 125 W, verify that specified products meet 2024/1834 before locking the spec.
Spec checklist for 24 July 2026
- List active and planned fan purchases after the deadline. Spec-check every model before ordering.
- Verify the FEG value on the manufacturer's datasheet. EBM Papst datasheets show separate blocks for ErP 2015 and ErP 2026 so you can see at a glance whether the article is compliant.
- Use the EBM Papst FanScout or the manufacturer's selector to find ErP 2026-compliant alternatives when an existing article is phased out.
- For integrated fans: check whether the host product is CE-marked and was placed on the market before 24 July 2026. In that case the transition runs to 24 July 2027.
- Technical documentation for new article numbers must include FEG, qv, Δp, Pe, N-grade, part-load curves, and disassembly information for professional repair. Request the full technical file.
- For spare parts: keep in mind that non-compliant models may still be needed as replacements for existing installations until 24 July 2028. Plan inventory accordingly.
Need help with a spec check?
reserv.se carries a broad EBM Papst portfolio and we are actively updating the catalogue ahead of the ErP 2026 transition. If you have an active specification or an existing model that needs replacing, contact us and we'll match it against an ErP 2026-compliant equivalent.
