As of 01/01/2017 all motors from kW 0.75 to kW 375 with 2-4-6 poles operating on European soil must:
have efficiency class IE3 if grid-connected
can have efficiency class IE2 only if connected via inverter; it is the responsibility of the purchaser that the IE2 motor is compulsorily used via frequency converter.

Directive Ie 01
Directive Ie 02

european guidelines

directive 640/2009