APPLIANCE ENERGY LABELS AND STANDARDS

Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standards Programme

Cook Islands: Tangi Tereapii, Director, Renewable Energy Development Division, Office of the Prime Minister, Private Bag, Rarotonga, Tel: [682] 25494 xtn 808, tangi.tereapi@cookislands.gov.ck

Fiji: Atesh Gosai, Department of Energy, Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport, PO Box 2493,Government Buildings, Suva, Tel: [679] 3384111, atesh.gosai@moit.gov.fj

Kiribati: Mwaati Oten Tomoron, Ministry of Public Works and Utilities, PO Box 498 Betio, Tarawa, Tel: [686] 26143, mwaati7@gmail.com

Niue: Deve Talagi, Department of Utilities, Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Utilities, Tel: [683] 4297, Deve.Talagi@mail.gov.nu

Papua New Guinea: Alfred Rungol, Climate Change Development Authority, Avara Annex Building, Brampton Street, PO Box 4017, Boroko, Tel [675] 775 408 75, kaferinrin@gmail.com

Samoa: Sione Foliaki, Energy Policy and Coordination Division, Ministry of Finance, Private Mail Bag, Apia, Tel: [685] 34436, Sione.Foliaki@mof.gov.ws

Solomon Islands: Richard Bapo, Ministry of Mines, Enery and Rural Electrification, PO Box G37, Honiara, Tel: [677] 21522/21521, Richardbapo217@gmail.com

Tonga: Sione Misi, Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Level 4 OG Sanft Building, Nuku’alofa, Tel: [676] 25209, sionefmisi93@gmail.com

Tuvalu: Nielu Meisake, Department of Energy, Ministry of Works Water & Energy, Vaiaku, Funafuti , Tel: [688] 20056, tulounavaia@gmail.com

Vanuatu: Joseph Temakon, Department of Energy, Mines & Minerals Resources, PMB 9067, Port Vila, Tel: [678] 33425/21205 / 7745984, jtemakon@vanuatu.gov.vu

Need more information?Contact us: Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division, Pacific Community, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Tel: +679 3370733, Fax: +679 3370146, Email: energy@spc.int, Website: www.spc.int

Or Contact the Energy Offices in respective Pacific Island countries:

Did you know?The SPC has estimated the total savings from energy labelling and MEPS in the Pacific:

• Over 500 million US dollars in fuel, generation and maintenance costs in the period up to 2025

• Over 2,000,000,000 kWh in electricity savings

• Over 600 million litres in diesel fuel imports

• Over 1.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions

By 2025, the energy saved by energy labelling and standards could be ‘supplying’ one eighth of the electricity demand in the PICs, pollution free. This would also mean a 12% reduction in generation fuel import costs.

What can you do?• Find out what your country is doing in regards to energy labelling and standards

• Choose to buy energy efficient appliances

• Stay informed and help spread the word about this initiative

One more thing: if you are importing appliances privatelyThe appliance labelling and MEPS laws in your country also apply to refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners imported by private citizens, churches and charities. Please check with your local Energy Department or Customs Department if you are planning to import these products (even if you bought them whilst living overseas).

What is an energy label?This is a label or tag attached to an appliance, that explains how much energy it uses, and how efficient it is compared with other products of the same type. The energy label enables a buyer to compare different brands and models, and offers them the opportunity to make smart choices on the purchase of products that suits their needs but uses less energy. In this way, they are able to save money on their electricity bills.

Energy labelling and MEPS for appliances are used in over 80 countries around the world to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emission.

Pacific Island countries and territories risked being left behind to become a dumping ground for inefficient appliances, so in 2012 the SPC started a project to help Pacific Island countries set up their own energy labeling and MEPS programmes. The Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standards (PALS) Programme is part of SPC’s approach to increasing sustainable economic development through improved energy efficiency.

Pacific Island countries such as Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are part of the PALS Programme. These countries are implementing energy labelling and MEPS for refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and lighting; though at different stages. A lot of work and effort is put into drafting appropriate legislation, regulations, seeking appropriate endorsements and collaboration between sectors and agencies.

There are many different types of energy labels in use around the world. There are different ways of testing products and different ways of displaying energy efficiency: stars, letters, numbers or ticks. Buyers cannot compare the energy efficiency of products if they have different types of energy labels, so one of the important steps in the PALS programme was for Pacific countries to adopt one type of label.

Most people in the Pacific are already familiar with the star rating labels used in Australia and New Zealand (see examples below), and countries participating in the PALS programme have adopted this label. This does not mean that products have to be imported from Australia or New Zealand – only that they must have this type of label. Therefore, it would be unlawful to display any other type of energy label for refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners and (for some countries) televisions. Other products may bear a different type of energy label, or no labels at all.

Why are some products not labelled?The products with energy labels are the ones that use the most energy, and there can be a big difference in energy use between the most and the least energy-efficient. Smaller appliances such as kettles and toasters do not use much energy. If you wash in cold water (as most people in the Pacific do) there is not much difference between the energy use of different washing machines, so they are not part of the labelling programme.

Light bulbs and tubes do not have to carry energy labels, but there are MEPS laws so that inefficient models cannot be imported and sold.

What do Pacific Island countries gain from energy labelling and standards?• Lower energy demand, thus reducing the import of diesel fuel for electricity

generation

• Reduced energy bills for consumers

• Lower capital and maintenance costs for electricity suppliers

• Access to better quality electrical products

• Stops the import of inefficient products banned from sale elsewhere

• Increased energy security

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions

The main message of the energy label is that the more stars a product has, the more energy-efficient it is. The meaning of the other parts of the label are explained in separate brochures.

Energy Labelling and Standards in the Pacific Islands

What do the labels look like?

MEPS are the minimum energy efficiency levels set by law for products sold in a particular country. Both energy labelling and MEPS (sometimes called simply “standards”) require the use of particular test procedures that can be repeated in a laboratory. For example a fridge has to keep the temperatures inside its compartments within limits that are safe for food storage, and to operate in a specified ambient temperature while using less than a specified amount of electricity.

What are minimum energy performance standard (MEPS)?

ENERGY RATING

CoolingThe more stars the

more energy efficient

1.25Power Input kWCapacity Output kW

4.45

Compare models at www.energyrating.gov.au

Variable output compressor YES NO

Mode 1 Mode 2 Mode 3Demand Response (AS4755)

When tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3823.2. Actual energy use and running costs will depend on how you use the appliance.

Kool and Kosy Komfort air conditionerModel KRCM001

Compare models at www.energyrating.gov.au

When tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3823.2.Actual energy use and running costs will depend on how you use the appliance

ENERGY RATING

The more stars the more energy efficient

A joint government and industry program

Fridge/Freezer Model

Energy consumption

kWh per year

xxx

REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS AIR CONDITIONERS