MCE
The Equipment Energy Efficiency package aims to drive on-going improvements to the energy efficiency of major energy using appliances and equipment. It will achieve this by increasing the number of products covered by the existing Equipment Energy Efficiency programme (E3), increasing the stringency of existing minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) requirements through a process of regular review, and increasing the intensity of the programme in key areas so that a range of programme tools are used to maximise the energy saving outcomes.
Expanded Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Labelling program for Electric and Gas appliances
Increased Focus on Industrial Products
Development of 10-year Product Strategies
Consideration of Other Products/Fuels
Information and Awareness
Monitoring & Evaluation
Energy consumed by appliances and equipment is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and New Zealand. Improving the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment is a key objective for all Australian governments and the New Zealand Government.
Performance codes and standards are the most widely used measures internationally to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from equipment and appliances. The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program embraces a range of measures aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of products used in the residential, commercial and manufacturing sectors in Australia and New Zealand.
The E3 program and its predecessors have operated since 1992 and were originally created as part of the Australian national greenhouse response strategy. The initial program was based on mandatory energy labelling for six types of domestic appliance to provide better information upon which purchasers could make informed decisions. By 1996, governments had agreed to introduce minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), which drove improvement by banning the sale of inefficient products from late 1999.
The Program measures improvement by increasing the number of products covered, increasing the stringency of existing energy requirements through process of regular review, and increasing the intensity of the program in key areas so that a range of program tools are used to maximise the energy saving outcomes.
The main policy tools used to achieve these outcomes are:
mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) – these are set out in the relevant product standard published by Standards Australia
mandatory energy efficiency labelling – these are set out in the relevant product standard published by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand
voluntary measures including endorsement labelling, training and support to promote the most efficient products available.
Recognising the impact that such programs may have on greenhouse gas abatement and efficiency, the E3 program has matured with additional activities added to leverage the impact of regulatory measures within particular equipment markets. E3 officials now undertake activities to align policies and practices throughout Australia and New Zealand including:
To set minimum performance levels and labeling requirements that products must meet to gain access to the market.
To provide consumers with clear information so that they are able to make cost and energy-saving decisions.
To provide assistance to all Australian states and territories and New Zealand agencies considering technical, legal and administrative aspects of equipment energy efficiency initiatives.
To harmonise all MEPS, mandatory labelling and related initiatives throughout Australia and New Zealand.
To encourage the sale of better performing products.
To coordinate the development and implementation of voluntary energy efficiency programs that enhance existing regulatory programs including:
voluntary labelling and other endorsement initiatives
market transformation projects
industry training
web-based information and selection tools and other related programs.
To inform stakeholders about the program.
To coordinate national marketing and communication projects to support new, and enhance existing, energy efficiency programs.
To coordinate broad consultative processes with industry and other interested parties developing and implementing energy labelling and associated programs.
To monitor and report program performance, achievements and enforcement outcomes.
To verify conformance with regulatory measures.
To provide a forum for exchanging information on enforcement and compliance issues between participating jurisdictions.
To administer an effective, coordinated testing regime verifying the energy efficiency claims of suppliers.
To review existing appliance energy consumption information and to improve Australian standards and testing protocols.
These existing policies will continue to evolve and be modified to best suit the end-use equipment types targeted for efficiency improvement. They will also evolve in response to the expanded scope of this work program resulting from COAG’s agreements on the National Strategy for Energy Efficiency.