Home > Partner Resources > ENERGY STAR International Partners

ENERGY STAR International Partners

EPA has entered into agreements with the following foreign governments to promote specific ENERGY STAR qualified products in their markets. These partnerships are intended to unify voluntary energy-efficiency labeling programs in major global markets and make it easier for partners to participate by providing a single set of energy-efficiency qualifications, instead of a patchwork of varying country-specific requirements. Organizations that partner with our international Partners to sell ENERGY STAR qualified products in other countries are held to the same technical or eligibility requirements as the U.S. program.

EPA is interested in advancing product efficiency globally through international harmonization efforts and is currently working with a number of countries to advocate this. EPA recognizes the cost to manufacturers to participate in voluntary programs and comply with mandatory efficiency requirements, and with governments to monitor these programs and maintain a positive consumer experience with energy efficient products. Therefore, EPA is interested in working with countries, including those that have not signed an ENERGY STAR partnership agreement, to harmonize product energy efficiency metrics and applicable test methods. EPA believes that a program should be tailored to its own market and efficiency levels should be set on a country-by-country basis, due to varying market and technology factors across countries.

Additional opportunities exist to collaborate internationally on the development of effective laboratory infrastructure, which is necessary for program and product quality assurance. Stakeholders interested in working with EPA in a similar manner can contact Chris Kent, EPA, at kent.christopher@epa.gov.

Australia Exit ENERGY STAR

The Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency is currently implementing ENERGY STAR for office equipment and consumer electronics products, including computers, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, televisions, and DVD players.

Contact: energy.star@environment.gov.au; Mr. Chris Forsman, Chris.Forsman@eeca.govt.nz; or Mr. Shane Lovell, Shane.Lovell@climatechange.gov.au

Canada Exit ENERGY STAR

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is implementing ENERGY STAR in Canada for a broad range of products, including office equipment, consumer electronics, heating and cooling equipment, home appliances, lighting and signage, commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers, and windows, doors, and skylights.

Contact: Ms. Dianna Miller, equipment@nrcan.gc.ca

European Union Exit ENERGY STAR

U.S. Government has a formal agreement with the European Union to implement the ENERGY STAR program for office equipment for the European markets.

Contact: EC Directorate General for Transportation and Energy, info@eu-energystar.org

European Free Trade Association

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is implementing ENERGY STAR in Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein for office equipment.

Contact: Mr. Bendik Solum Whist, BendikSolum.WHIST@efta.int

Japan Exit ENERGY STAR

The Energy Conservation Centre, Japan (ECCJ) is implementing ENERGY STAR for office equipment on behalf of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

Contact: Ms. Aki Mori, mori-aki@meti.go.jp and Ms. Kanako Sawata, k.sawata@eccj.or.jp

New Zealand Exit ENERGY STAR

The New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has implemented ENERGY STAR for office equipment, consumer electronics (including televisions),set top boxes, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), integral light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, heat pumps, central air conditioners, residential dishwashers, clothes washers, and residential refrigerators/freezers (note that the latter five specifications were developed specifically for the New Zealand market, and the heat pump and air conditioner product categories will be effective June 1, 2012).

Contact: Kate Irvine, info@energystar.govt.nz

Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) is currently implementing ENERGY STAR for office equipment and consumer electronics products.

Contact: Mr. Felix Frey, felix.frey@bfe.admin.ch

Taiwan Exit ENERGY STAR

The Environment and Development Foundation (EDF) is implementing ENERGY STAR for office equipment on behalf of the Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan.

Contact: Dr. Lai, mslai@edf.org.tw; Dr. Ning Yu, ningyu@edf.org.tw; or Mr. Brown Lo, brown@edf.org.tw

International Labeling Requirements for ENERGY STAR Qualified Products

Bilateral agreements between EPA and foreign governments delineate program responsibilities to promote, monitor, and enforce ENERGY STAR in their markets. Regardless of where a product is manufactured, sold, and/or promoted, any use of the ENERGY STAR mark must comply with the ENERGY STAR Identity Guidelines. As part of its ENERGY STAR agreement, each country is required to monitor use of the ENERGY STAR mark.

Within the United States, labeling of qualified models and/or associated materials is a requirement for ENERGY STAR participation. The specific requirements for each product category are outlined in the product-specific Partner Commitments. Only manufacturers with qualified models who have otherwise met their partnership obligations (from labeling to submittal of annual unit shipment data) are displayed/promoted on the ENERGY STAR website. EPA and DOE undertake substantial efforts to monitor the application and use of the ENERGY STAR registered mark and to ensure that partners are fulfilling the participation requirements. These efforts include monitoring print advertisements, websites and domain names, in-store use, and print article content. Failure to comply with any of the ENERGY STAR requirements may result in suspension or termination of an organization's ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement.

Labeling Requirements by Country/Region PDF (87KB)

Labeling of ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment is mandatory in some ENERGY STAR international partner countries and strongly encouraged in others, because of the global nature of these products. Use of the ENERGY STAR mark includes placement on the top or front of the qualified products, on product packaging, in product literature and box inserts, and on manufacturer websites.

Third-Party Certification Requirements with International Partners

Since January 1, 2011, EPA has required products, destined for the US market, to be tested for qualification in an EPA-recognized laboratory and certified as meeting the ENERGY STAR requirements by a third-party certification program. We believe that these changes to the ENERGY STAR program strengthen the procedures to better ensure that products bearing the ENERGY STAR label, in fact, meet the ENERGY STAR criteria. For further information, resources, and questions, please visit ENERGY STAR Laboratory Resources.

EPA is aware of that many of our international partner programs are making similar changes, where it makes sense for their markets. Other partners are continuing to recognize manufacturers’ self declaration that their products meet efficiency requirements.