Energy efficiency standards prescribe the energy
performance of manufactured products.
- They can be mandatory or voluntary.
- Standards can apply to housing, transport and household
products.
- They can help to 'shift' the market by removing the most
inefficient products entirely.
- They can also be attractive to manufacturers through the
approach of 'highlighting the frontrunner',
allowing companies to differentiate themselves from the
competition.
- Standards also inform the development of
labels and choice editing by retailers.
- Standards provide benchmarks and contribute to
base criteria for energy labels.
- Labels need to be backed up by appropriate standards that
reflect current technological advancements.
Check out our section on
Ethical Claims for more on labelling issues.