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EU minimum performance standards for data centres (call for evidence and public consultation)

Consultation openEuropean UnionProposal, not binding

The Commission is preparing a legislative proposal on minimum performance standards for data centres. A call for evidence and open public consultation launched on 21 September 2026 and runs until 14 December 2026. The Commission plans to publish the proposal in the second quarter of 2027. A supporting study began in early 2026 and runs for 24 months. No standards exist yet.

Current status

Pre-legislative stage. Consultation open until 14 December 2026. Proposal planned for Q2 2027. Any binding standards would need adoption by Parliament and Council.

Who it applies to

Data centres operating in the EU. Thresholds and metrics not yet proposed.

Exceptions: Not defined yet.

What it means for cooling and power

This is the first EU-level step that could set hard efficiency floors. Cooling and power suppliers with measured efficiency evidence can respond to the consultation. Existing-site retrofit timelines may follow, because EED Article 12(5) allows proposals with a timeframe for existing data centres.

Editorial: business implications, not legal advice.

Upcoming dates

  1. 14 Dec 2026: Public consultation and call for evidence closes ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

Related policy

Markets

Lifecycle

  1. Proposed or announced21 Sept 2026
  2. Consultation14 Dec 2026
  3. Adoptednot reached
  4. In effectnot reached

Pre-legislative stage. Consultation open until 14 December 2026. Proposal planned for Q2 2027. Any binding standards would need adoption by Parliament and Council.

Sources (3), last checked 18 Oct 2026
  1. Data centres in Europe: minimum performance standards (Have your say initiative 19293) (opens in a new tab), European Commission, published 21 Sept 2026, accessed 18 Oct 2026
  2. Commission enhances energy efficiency and sustainability of data centres in the EU (IP/26/1667) (opens in a new tab), European Commission, published 21 Sept 2026, accessed 18 Oct 2026
  3. Energy performance of data centres (opens in a new tab), European Commission, DG Energy, accessed 18 Oct 2026

Last checked 18 Oct 2026 by CoolPower Index research (automated, sourced). Report a correction.

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