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US and China Seek Uniformity in Energy Efficiency

Release Date: 03/20/2007
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, (202) 564-4355 / [email protected]

(Washington, D.C. - March 20, 2007) EPA and the China Standard Certification Center (CSC) have agreed to work toward harmonizing information on their respective energy-efficiency labels for consumer electronics and office equipment. Labeling helps decrease energy consumption, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"EPA and CSC agree that saving energy, saving money, and protecting the environment just make sense," said Bill Wehrum, EPA acting assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. "EPA, through the Energy Star program, has been working to change the way America powers its homes and businesses for 15 years, and it is a privilege to share our time-tested approaches with China."

China's rapid economic growth rate has been accompanied by large increases in energy demand. Improving the energy efficiency of common products will also help China meet its goal of reducing energy intensity 20 percent by 2010.

EPA has a long history of cooperation with China on clean air and clean energy issues, including voluntary energy efficiency labeling. With EPA's assistance on certification development, CSC has added 10 product categories to their certification and labeling program since 2001, including computers, monitors, televisions, office copiers, fax machines and external power supplies.

EPA and CSC are now entering into a new stage of collaboration that has three principal goals:

• Harmonizing key elements of Energy Star and CSC product endorsement-labeling programs;
• Providing a more unified set of energy efficiency standards to manufacturers in both programs; and
• Building China's capacity to manage an internationally-recognized product labeling program.