Who is CLASP?
CLASP was established as a partnership in the U.S. in 1999. In 2005 it became a global non-profit corporation, governed by nine directors from six countries in four continents.

CLASP is an outgrowth of an initiative begun in 1996 at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to help developing countries pursue energy-efficient standards and labeling (S&L) policies. Shortly afterward, the US Agency for International Development embraced the effort and funded Berkeley Lab, the Alliance to Save Energy, and the International Institute for Energy Conservation to pursue this initiative. For the five years 2000 through 2004, CLASP, operating as a partnership of its three founders with increasing collaboration with additional partners and with $9.4 million from 12 different donors, provided assistance for the development and implementation of 21 new minimum energy performance standards, energy efficiency endorsement labels, and energy information labels. In 2005, CLASP completed its originally intended transformation into an independent global organization open to all willing and able participants.

What is CLASP's mission?
CLASP serves as the world's primary international voice and resource for energy efficiency S&L worldwide.

What is CLASP Doing?
CLASP helps S&L policymakers and practitioners foster socio-economic development, alleviate poverty, improve the environment, and stimulate global trade. Since 1999, CLASP has assisted with the implementation of 21 new minimum energy performance standards, energy efficiency endorsement labels, and energy information labels that will save 250 megatonnes of CO₂ by 2014. CLASP's goal is to support S&L programs that reduce total anthropogenic CO₂ emissions by 3% by 2030.

CLASP promotes the world's best practices in energy efficiency S&L for residential, commercial, and industrial equipment and lighting from several different angles.

• Working with in-country technicians and officials responsible for S&L programs.
• Providing assistance with the following seven steps of the S&L programs conducted by 57 countries, covering 46 different energy-consuming products:
  1. Deciding on whether to implement an S&L program,
  2. Developing a testing capability,
  3. Designing and implementing a label program,
  4. Analyzing and setting standards,
  5. Designing and implementing a communications program,
  6. Ensuring program integrity, and
  7. Evaluating the S&L program.
• Developing S&L tools (a guidebook for S&L policymakers and implementers, a comprehensive website, data collection protocols, an impact evaluator), disseminating information, and otherwise supporting S&L practitioners worldwide.
• Facilitating regional collaborations directed at adoption of the common procedures, mutual recognition of test results, and/or alignment of performance standard levels and energy labeling criteria for particular appliances.

CLASP is a global network—a collection of S&L experts, a business opportunity, an information clearinghouse, an aide to donor organizations, and many other things as well. It is open to all organizations and individuals who have the ability and interest to serve CLASP's mission and are willing to abide by CLASP's published Guiding Principles. CLASP is comprised of a small secretariat and a worldwide assembly of Sponsoring Partners who fund CLASP activities, Country Partners who are the recipients of CLASP services, Implementing Partners who provide CLASP services, and interested stakeholders as Affiliates.

What are the Benefits to Country Partners?
Participating countries will benefit from enhanced institutional capacity for implementing standards and labeling programs, increased production of energy-efficient products by manufacturers, improved average energy efficiency of appliances and equipment, significant reductions in electricity consumption, and lower energy-related emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

Where Can You Find More Information About CLASP?

Visit the CLASP website.
Contact: Mirka della Cava, Jim E. McMahon

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