Manufacturers to carry energy efficient labels soon

From April 2009 it will be mandatory for manufacturers of air conditioners refrigerators, tube lights and distribution transformers to carry energy efficient labels.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a part of the ministry of power set up to is to 'institutionalise' energy efficiency services, is looking at making labelling and standardisation practices mandatory for certain electrical appliances.

BEE has posted the draft notification for public comment on its website, with the last date for receiving comments being 25 February. Oncce government approval isgranted a final being notification canbe issued as early as the end of  the current financial year on 31 March 2009. Thereafter manufacturers would have six months to meet with the energy-efficiency prescribed for their products.

It has prescribed schedules for appliances in 11 categories - frost free refrigerators,  tubular fluorescent lamps,  room air conditioners, direct cool refrigerators, ceiling fans, LPG, electric geysers, and colour TVs among home equipment. In adddition BEE has also prescribed schedules for distribution transformers, induction motors and agricultural pump sets.  

However, there are currently six items - ceiling fans, LPG stoves, electric geysers, agricultural water pumps, colour televisions and industrial motors - where the labelling process is still voluntary. However, by the end of next year, these appliances would also be required to carry mandatory energy-efficiency labels.

BEE began this exercise, along with the International Copper Association (ICA), as a market transformation project for air conditioners and refrigerators. ICA helped the bureau to develop standards of labels, and in establishment of testing facilities and creation of consumer awareness.