Energy Label Transition - The Australian Experience

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Download Energy Label Transition - The Australian Experience (2004-labeltransition.pdf - 653kB)

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Summary

This report was commissioned by the Australian Greenhouse Office and was prepared by Energy Efficient Strategies. This report was released in July 2004.

The appliance energy labelling scheme for electrical appliances has been underway in Australia for over 15 years. This scheme requires certain household appliances to display an energy rating label that aims to encourage consumers to purchase more energy efficient appliances, and therefore provides incentive for manufacturers to improve the energy performance of appliances. The scheme commenced with the labelling of refrigerators and freezers in 1986/1987 in New South Wales and Victoria, and was quickly extended to include airconditioners (1987), dishwashers (1988), clothes dryers (1989) and washing machines (1990). Other states introduced energy labelling progressively from 1990. All states and territories now have regulations.

In 2000 Australia was the first major economy with a mandatory energy labelling program to regrade the label rating scale and redesign the label. This was a major effort and took years of planning and preparation.

This report endeavours to detail the process undertaken to achieve a successful transition in 2000 from the old label to the new label. It includes:

Background to the appliance labelling scheme in Australia
Details of the process control
Studies commissioned in the lead up to the transition, including:
- Technical
- Market Research
- Regulatory Impact
Communications Strategies
Evaluation Procedures

The appendices include detailed information from product working group meetings which detail the issues considered and the agreements which were finally implemented.

This report is intended to assist those who may wish to undertake a similar label revision/implementation process. This includes Australian Federal and State government officials who are currently considering revisions to both gas appliance and water efficiency labels as well as the extension of the labelling program to a wider range of electrical products (eg TVs).

This page last modified 02 February 2009