Energy ‘labeling’ is one of the most cost effective policy tools for improving energy efficiency and lowering energy cost of appliances/equipment for the consumers. The program has been developed in a collaborative and consensus driven approach with active participation from all the stakeholders.
What is Standards?
- Prescribe limits on the energy consumption (or minimum levels of the energy efficiency) of manufactured products.
- “Standards” commonly encompasses two possible meanings:
- well-defined test protocols to obtain a sufficiently accurate estimate
- target limits on energy performance
What is Label?
- Describes energy performance (in the form of energy use, efficiency or energy cost)
- “Labels” mainly give consumers the necessary information to make informed purchase. There are two types of labels:
| Comparative Label | Endorsement Label |
Allow consumers to compare the energy consumption of similar products, and factor lifetime running cost into their purchasing decision |
Provide a ‘certification’ to inform prospective purchasers that the product is highly energy efficient for its category. |
Energy labels can be used stand alone or complement energy standards. In addition to giving information that allows consumers who care to select efficient models,labels also provide a common energy-efficiency benchmark that can work in association with other policy measures such as procurement programs, financial incentives etc. The effectiveness of energy labels is heavily dependent on how they present information to the consumer and on how they are supported by information to the consumer and how they are supported by information to the consumer and on how they are supported by information campaigns, financial incentives, and other related programs.
S & L in India works on a model in which the permittee provides information related to energy efficiency of the product on the label as prescribed in the respective product regulation, statutory order and/or schedule issued by the Bureau from time to time. A star rating, ranging from 1 to 5 in the ascending order of energy efficiency is provided to products registered with the Bureau. An endorsement label is also provided for some products.
For the labelling program, the Bureau works through technical committees of experts and stakeholders, comprising of representatives from industry, industry association, consumer organizations, academia, on-Government Organizations (NGOs), Research & Development (R & D) institutions, testing laboratories, government organizations and regulatory bodies etc.