Exporting Heat Pumps to Europe? Key Things You Need to Know

According to preliminary data from the European Heat Pump Association, heat pump sales across 16 European countries rose by an average of 11% in 2025. A total of approximately 2.63 million units were sold, up from 2.38 million in 2024, bringing the total installed base to around 28 million units.

The immense industry potential and bright development prospects of heat pumps will undoubtedly attract numerous market participants. Before launching any product into a market, understanding its conformity assessment standards and industry regulations is absolutely necessary. As the European Commission advances its comprehensive proposals for energy-related products and revises the new legislative framework, the regulatory landscape for manufacturers is evolving.

For overseas manufacturers like SPRSUN, understanding these changes is not merely a compliance issue—it's key to building competitive advantage. Are you ready to expand your business plan? Considering importing heat pumps into Europe? This guide serves as a product certification checklist for European importers and distributors and how SPRSUN heat pumps align with the latest industry standards and provide actionable market access recommendations.

ISO Certificates -- Authoritative International Recognition

ISO certification is a widely recognized international mark of accreditation, verifying that a manufacturer's management systems, services, or processes comply with ISO standards. ISO international standards represent global benchmarks for quality, safety, and efficiency.

SPRSUN has obtained ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management) as proof of : 

• Commitment to quality and customer trust

• Efficient operational effectiveness

• Ensuring consistent product/service quality

• Meeting international legal and industry-specific requirements

Europe’s Mandatory Certification/EU Unified Mandatory Conformity Assessment

To legally place a heat pump on the European market, it must comply with several EU directives. Below is the mandatory checklist that SPRSUN addresses through its manufacturing process:

1. CE Marking

The CE mark is the passport for entry into the European Economic Area. It signifies that the product meets EU safety, health, and environmental protection requirements．

• MD（Machinery Directive） Certification (2006/42/EC): Confirms the product meets European safety standards for machinery, focusing on mechanical safety. Once the heat pump pass the test, it will marked by CE-MD.

• The EU ErP (Energy-related Products) Directive 2009/125/EC:  Must comply with the latest energy efficiency standards. Current market requirements mandate that air-source heat pumps achieve a minimum seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) threshold (typically A++ or higher).The Energy-related Products (ERP) framework is currently under review.  * In January 2026, EHPA published feedback on the draft Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations for space heaters (Lot 1) and water heaters (Lot 2). Key concerns include new testing methods(such as EN 14511 & EN 14825) and third-party conformity assessments . 

  • EN 14511 defines testing at fixed, full-load points for instantaneous efficiency (COP/EER),

  • EN 14825 calculates seasonal performance (SCOP/SEER) based on part-load conditions and climate bins

• Energy Labeling Regulation: Energy labels have been simplified from 10 to 5 indicators and must include a traceable QR code linking to the EPREL database.

• F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573: * Refrigerant Restrictions: 2026 is a critical milestone. For self-contained (monoblock) heat pumps under 12kW, the EU is transitioning entirely to low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. R290 (propane) has become mainstream, and older R410A equipment is being phased out in multiple countries.

• Mandatory Declaration: A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) must accompany the equipment, confirming the fluorinated gases charged in the product comply with quota limits.

• Other Foundational Directives:

  • LVD (Low Voltage Directive): Ensures electrical safety of the product.

  • EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive): Tests the product's resistance to interference.

  • PED (Pressure Equipment Directive): Specifically addresses testing criteria for refrigeration systems containing high-pressure refrigerants.

2. RoHS

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is a European Union directive (2011/65/EU) that limits the use of 10 hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to protect health and the environment.

SPRSUN Compliance

All SPRSUN heat pumps carry the CE and RoHS certificates, ensuring they meet essential EU safety standards. During the EU's review of these regulations, SPRSUN maintaining our performance claims (heating capacity, COP) are reliable and reproducible :

Industry-Leading A+++ Standard: The current highest energy efficiency rating is ERP A+++. SPRSUN's DC Inverter Heat Pump series has been awarded TÜV SÜD A+++ certification, indicating its exceptional Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP), typically exceeding the 4.5 benchmark. Additionally, some high-end SPRSUN product lines such as Greenergy Pro series, have received ERP energy efficiency reports from the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)． Ensure our products consistently rank among the top tier on energy efficiency labels to avoid consumer confusion caused by threshold adjustments.

Voluntary Certification

Although these certifications are legally voluntary, users encounter significant obstacles when applying for government subsidies without the following certificates, thereby weakening product competitiveness in the market.

HP KEYMARK (EU Pass)

 * Initiated by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), it is currently the most widely recognized third-party product certification in Europe.

 *  It is based on the quality requirements of the Ecodesign Directive and is often a prerequisite for government subsidies.

 * Why It Matters: KEYMARK reduces trade barriers. It means "one test is valid for all European countries," saving time and money on retesting.

SPRSUN Compliance: SPRSUN is one of the few Chinese manufacturers to hold KEYMARK certification for our R290 DC Inverter Heat Pumps and R32 EVI DC Inverter series.

Summary Table: SPRSUN vs. EU Requirements

Special Requirements for European Countries

1. BAFA Listing(Germany)

• Equipment must be included in the “Approved Heat Pump List” maintained by the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA).

• Noise Requirements: Germany enforces extremely strict noise regulations for outdoor units. Compliance with sound power level testing by BAFA or equivalent authorities is mandatory; otherwise, installation permits cannot be obtained in residential areas. 

• SG Ready: The “Smart Grid Ready” label certifying that heat pumps or associated management technologies can respond to pre-set external control signals. It is recommended for interaction with local power grids.

 * This label was unveiled in 2012 by the German Heat Pump Association (Bundesverband Wärmepumpe, BWP) together with 17 heat pump manufacturers.

2. MCS Certification (United Kingdom)

• This is the “make-or-break” requirement for the UK market. Products must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

• UKCA Mark: Similar to CE, but products sold in the UK (Great Britain) must bear the UKCA mark and comply with UK technical specifications.

3. Italy

• DM 37/08 Compliance: Emphasizes system integration between installation and products.（Responsibility for Installing Company (Impresa Installatrice)

• EN 14511 / EN 14825: Detailed third-party test reports based on these standards must be provided to meet the high-efficiency tax rebate requirements of the Ecobonus program.

SPRSUN Compliance Certification: SPRSUN heat pumps are listed in Germany’s BAFA certification program and have obtained UK MCS and UKCA certifications. These recognized certifications provide a strong foundation for our partners to expand smoothly into new markets, positioning SPRSUN as a trusted and reliable partner for long-term success.

Deep Dive into 2026 Regulatory Trends & How SPRSUN Aligns

The Push for Simplification

The EHPA has warned that recent regulatory developments risk increasing costs. They advocate for product-level requirements to take precedence over component-level rules.

• SPRSUN Alignment: By holding comprehensive product-level certifications (like KEYMARK) rather than just component certifications, SPRSUN simplifies the importer's risk assessment. The entire unit is tested, not just the compressor from Mitsubishi or the pump from Wilo.

The F-Gas and PFAS Challenge

The interaction between the revised F-Gas Regulation and the proposed PFAS restriction is causing concern regarding refrigerant availability .

• SPRSUN Alignment: SPRSUN has developed R32 heat pumps (like the EVI DC Inverter series). R32 has a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) compared to R410A, future-proofing investments against potential refrigerant phase-downs .

Local Content and Procurement Rules

Starting in 2026, the EU is considering introducing local content requirements for public procurement of green technologies. While this poses challenges for non-EU manufacturers, buyers can mitigate this by importing components as semi-knocked-down (SKD) kits, for more details, please contact the SPRSUN team. Meanwhile, in the private sector and residential sales—which currently dominate the market—technological compliance and energy efficiency (SCOP) remain the primary drivers. SPRSUN products gain added value beyond mere compliance through our fourth-generation smart WiFi modules and intelligent defrosting technology, developed through extra R&D investment.

Conclusion

The European heat pump market is entering a phase of "regulated growth." While the EHPA calls for simplified rules and the EU introduces stricter oversight, the fundamentals remain the same: quality, efficiency, and certification.

SPRSUN stands out as a manufacturing partner with a portfolio boasting CE, KEYMARK, ERP A+++ , MCS，UKCA and compliance with EN14511&EN 14825and so on , SPRSUN heat pumps are engineered to meet Europe's current needs and are adaptable to its future regulatory shifts.

For importers and distributors looking to capitalize on Europe's green transition, aligning with a certified partner minimizes risk and maximizes market potential.