Legislative and Regulatory Authorization
E-labelling is not a difficult measure to implement. It is in place in many countries today, and essentially requires a legislative or regulatory amendment that allows for manufacturers/suppliers to use the display of a device (for those products with built in displays) to display the labelling requirements applicable within the jurisdiction without the need for additional physical labels.
For an example see the Enhance Labeling, Accessing, and Branding of Electronic Licenses Act of 2014 (US) 47 U.S.C 302a and 601 which amended the United States Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C 601) by adding a new section to allow for the option use of electronic labelling for equipment in place of physical labels.
In the European context, where e-labelling is not currently permitted for electronic devices, it could be achieved through a new paragraph in Article 10 of Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU ('RED') which states that where radio equipment is fitted with an integral screen the requirements laid down in paragraphs 7 to 9 of the RED may also be fulfilled by displaying the required information on the integral screen.
For an example see the Enhance Labeling, Accessing, and Branding of Electronic Licenses Act of 2014 (US) 47 U.S.C 302a and 601 which amended the United States Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C 601) by adding a new section to allow for the option use of electronic labelling for equipment in place of physical labels.
In the European context, where e-labelling is not currently permitted for electronic devices, it could be achieved through a new paragraph in Article 10 of Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU ('RED') which states that where radio equipment is fitted with an integral screen the requirements laid down in paragraphs 7 to 9 of the RED may also be fulfilled by displaying the required information on the integral screen.
In practice
E-labelling is already available in many devices today even in jurisdictions that don't specifically provide for it (in these cases, the device also has to carry the markings or labels separately in line with local requirements). For example, you can access the e-labels in smartphones, tablets and even some watches as follows:
- In iOS devices from Settings >> General >> Legal and Regulatory
- In Android from Settings >>About >> Regulatory labels