BWI: BEE Standards and Labelling Programme to Cover Washing Machines

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
Friday, August 27, 2010 03:10 PM IST (09:40 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Environment; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Education & training, Electronic appliances & components, Energy companies, Household & personal care products & services
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BEE Standards and Labelling Programme to Cover Washing Machines
Programme to be Voluntary Initially

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Friday, August 27, 2010 -- (Business Wire India) -- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Power, has announced a star labelling programme for washing machines under the Standards and Labelling programme. Consumers buying new washing machines now will have the option to ask for Energy Saving Star labelled machines and manufacturers will be encouraged to adopt the scheme at the earliest during the initial voluntary phase. BEE has recommended the labelling standards for washing machines under the provisions of Section14A of Energy Conservation Act.

Washing machine, a popular household appliance, is the latest to enter the list of voluntary phase of start ratings. In India, every year an estimated 2.5 million new washing machines are sold in the market.

So far, BEE has room air conditioners (ACs), frost free refrigerators, tubular fluorescent lamps (TFLs) and distribution transformers in the mandatory list. Colour televisions, direct cool refrigerators, ceiling fans, pumps, motors, LPG stoves and electric storage water heaters are currently in the voluntary list. The star labelling programme has been established with an objective to ensure that all appliances reach a minimum level of energy efficiency. Washing machines will display a STAR Label that will indicate its level of energy efficiency. The programme will initially be implemented on a voluntary basis and become mandatory subsequently.

Speaking on the scheme, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General of BEE, said, "The inclusion of washing machines in our labelling programme is another step towards helping households buying energy efficient appliances. Washing machines are becoming a necessity with changing lifestyles and rapid urbanization. People are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits of energy efficient appliances because energy-efficient appliances start repaying their cost from the moment they start working."

Energy efficiency has become one of the top factors in a consumer's decision making process after price, brand and colour; as this understanding grows, each household will contribute towards reducing India's energy intensity. Along with the labelling standards, BEE is building greater awareness that will lead to responsible energy consumption. Customers will not only be made aware of the quantum of saving but BEE's effort will also be towards empowering consumers to make the right choices, he added.

The introduction of the voluntary labelling programme for a product is accompanied by an outreach campaign to provide information to consumers about the labelling program, and the benefits of this program to consumers. At the same time, the market dynamics of the equipment for which the voluntary labelling program has been introduced is tracked with a view to assess the penetration of labelled products in the market. Once the market share of labelled products is more than 50 per cent, the introduction of the mandatory labelling for this product is considered.

BEE's labelling programme is a step towards meeting India's energy efficiency and energy security goals It will also contribute to environmental protection, and to enhanced energy access.

About Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):

The Government of India set up Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on 1st March 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles, within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 with the primary objective of reducing energy intensity of the Indian economy. For more information, visit www.bee-india.nic.in


CONTACT DETAILS
Saurabh Bhatnagar, The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), +91 (11) 26179699, sbhatnagar@beenet.in

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENVIRONMENT, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION, ELECTRONICS, ENERGY, HOUSEHOLD

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