This paper was presented at the Earth Technologies Forum (ETF), which took place on April 22-24, 2003 at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC. The forum was co-sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Energy, US Agency for International Development, Australian Greenhouse Office, Environment Canada, Industry Canada, Netherlands Reduction Plan for Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases, International Climate Change Partnership, Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, United Nations Environment Program, and United Nations Development Program.

The paper focuses on China’s appliance efficiency standard and labeling programs since the publication of the first set of standards for eight types of appliance products (refrigerators, room air conditioners, clothes washers, television sets, automatic rice cookers, radio receivers, electric fans and electric irons) in 1989.

Today, China has developed an active and comprehensive energy efficiency standard and labeling program that includes minimum energy efficiency standards, a voluntary energy label, and a proposed energy information label. China has enacted three more new product standards or revisions of existing standards, with several more under review and development. The standard for fluorescent lamp ballasts was enacted in 1999. Standard revisions for household refrigerators and room air conditioners were completed in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Standards for compact and linear fluorescent lamps and clothes washers are in the final review process and should be published soon.

Currently, the development agenda for standards and labels is set by the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS) and the China Certification Center for Energy Conservation (CECP) in consultation with leading government agencies (such as the State Economic and Trade Commission and State Administration on Standards). Other stakeholders are notified only after the standard development is well underway. In the future, a clear timeline for standard and label development and revision would reduce the uncertainties that manufacturers face and thus make it easier to comply with the standard and label requirements.

The Earth Technologies Forum program is available for download here.

Author: Jiang Lin

Information from: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)