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Introduction to Energy Efficiency Standards and Labeling
As the world becomes increasingly dependent on electrical appliances and equipment, energy consumption rises rapidly. One of the most cost-effective and proven methods to curb rising energy/electricity demand from electrical appliances and equipment is to establish energy efficiency standards and labels. Such standards and labels are designed to improve energy efficiency without degrading other features: performance, quality, safety and overall cost.
Energy Efficiency Standards
Energy efficiency standards are procedures and regulations on the energy performance of manufactured products, sometimes prohibiting the sale of products less energy-efficient than the minimum standard, often called minimum energy performance standards (MEPS).
Energy Efficiency Labels
Energy efficiency labels are informative labels affixed to manufactured products indicating a product’s energy performance (usually in terms of energy use, efficiency, and/or cost) to provide consumers with data necessary for making informed purchases. Energy labels complement energy standards to provide consumers information that enables the selection of more efficient models.
Rationale and Benefits
Energy-efficiency improvements can slow the growth in energy consumption, save
consumers money and reduce capital expenses for energy infrastructure. Additionally,
energy efficiency reduces local environmental impacts, such as water and air pollution
from power plants, and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency standards
and labeling programs provide enormous energy savings potential that can direct
developing countries towards sustainable energy use. The main benefits are highlighted
as follows:
- Reduced need for new power plants The cost of saving 1 kWh of energy through energy efficiency programs is much less than producing 1 kWh of energy with a new power plant.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions Less energy production means lower emissions
- Improved competitiveness for local manufacturers Local companies that upgrade the efficiency of their appliances can compete better with multi-national companies
- Higher consumer disposable income Less spending on electric bills increases consumer purchasing power for other products, which helps local businesses
- Improved Trade Balance Decrease in energy demand will reduce the consumption of indigenous resources (i.e. natural gas and oil) and helps alleviate trade deficit
IIEC’s Role in Standards and Labeling
IIEC has committed to the promotion of sustainable energy development and, following our commitment, IIEC has developed and promoted energy efficiency standards and labeling programs in developing countries for more than a decade. Our roles include:
Expanding S&L programs into countries where S&L programs are not adopted
Educating policy makers and regulators in rationale and benefits of S&L
Building capacity of institutions for S&L program design and implementation
In 1999, IIEC, in association with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and the Alliance to Save Energy, formed the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) to facilitate the design, implementation, and enforcement of energy efficiency standards and labels for appliances, equipment, and lighting products in developing and transitional countries around the world. Over the past 4 years, CLASP has fostered a number of regional S&L initiatives in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, and created a global resource center for information and technical support that help enhancing the capabilities of thousands of individuals and organizations around the world in standard setting and labeling techniques.
IIEC’s Experience in Standards and Labeling
- In Asia, IIEC introduced energy standards and labeling programs as the components in the nation-wide DSM programs in Thailand in 1989. A series of workshops and study tours were organized by IIEC to reinforce this initiative. In 1991, IIEC developed the DSM master plan for Thai electric utilities. The Thai standard and labeling programs are later recognized as one of the most successful standard and labeling programs in the world.
- In 1996, under the Asia Standards Initiative, IIEC conducted a comprehensive baseline study of energy standards and labeling in 12 Asian countries. IIEC also organized workshops to stimulate interests on energy efficiency standards and labeling in Arab states.
- As a founding partner of CLASP, IIEC has provided technical advice and led CLASP activities in many countries such as Brazil, India and South Africa. In India, for example, IIEC has worked closely with Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in development and implementation of mandatory S&L programs. IIEC has coordinated and organized a number of regional and sub-regional training workshops and
conferences on S&L. In addition, IIEC has also led the development of the Internet-based S&L information clearinghouse for (CLASP). The CLASP website has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive S&L information resource for S&L community.
- IIEC worked with APEC in expansion of energy efficiency standards and labeling programs by reviewed standards and regulations for electrical appliances in APEC member economies and coordinated workshops on energy performance testing. IIEC is also a member of the development team of the APEC Energy Standard Information System (APEC-ESIS), an Internet-based information portal for S&L programs in 21 APEC member economies.
S&L Publications Published by IIEC
Recent IIEC Experience
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