Energy norms for home appliances to be mandatory soon

It may soon become mandatory for home appliances makers to label their products according to their energy efficiency.

A Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) official said the government would soon make the punitive provisions of the Energy Conservation Act 2001 compulsory.

"We are planning to make it mandatory for the appliances to carry 'star' label for energy efficiency," the official said.

As per the new provisions, home appliances should comply with the energy efficiency norms failing which the companies manufacturing these products would invite penalty.

According to the 'star' labelling programme, home appliances such as air-conditioners, refrigerators, tubelights, transformers are given star efficiency labels on a scale of 1 to 5. At present, the highest rating for energy efficient products is 5.

"We have received the government's green signal for making this scheme mandatory but the final decision will be taken next month by the Prime Minister's committee on climate change," BEE Director General Ajay Mathur told PTI.

"BEE has proposed a fine of Rs 1,000 per day for the companies not complying with the energy efficiency standards. But the final decision will be taken after the climate change committee," he said. At present, voluntary 'star' labelling scheme is applicable on 11 appliances including ACs, tubelight, refrigerator and ceiling fan.

The Ministry of Power is running various energy efficiency schemes such as Bachat Lamp Yojana, Labelling programme, Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC).

The ministry is of the view that adopting energy efficiency measures could save up to 25,000 MW of electricity.