insightful energy star faqs for staying ahead of the game€¦ · intertek testing services 70...

Intertek Testing Services 70 Codman Hill Road Boxborough, MA 01719

www.intertek.com 1-800-WORLD LAB [email protected]

Insightful ENERGY STAR® FAQs for Staying Ahead of the Game


www.intertek.com/energystar 2

Contents

Introduction .....................................................................................................3 About EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program..................................................................3

Momentum Achieved.................................................................................. 3 Cause and Effect......................................................................................... 4

Qualification Procedures Changes..................................................................... 5 Certification Body Approval......................................................................... 5 Updates for Testing and Verification............................................................ 8

So You Want your Product ENERGY STAR Certified.......................................... 9 Third-Party Testing Options ......................................................................... 9 Data Acceptance Programs........................................................................ 11

Keeping Up with Spec Changes .......................................................................12 Revisions & Development .......................................................................... 12

Updates to the ENERGY STAR Partner Agreement............................................14 Global Energy Efficiency .................................................................................15 Conclusion ......................................................................................................16 About Intertek.................................................................................................16



Introduction The rapid growth of the ENERGY STAR program in the last decade has not come without challenges, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has addressed those problems by implementing a system of product testing and maintenance that is more thorough and accurate. Becoming familiar with EPA’s Third-Party Certification procedures will aid manufacturers strategizing to update and qualify new products for ENERGY STAR.

About EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program The ENERGY STAR program is a dynamic government and industry partnership that creates energy efficiency solutions for businesses and consumers. The program makes it easy to save money while protecting the environment for future generations. ENERGY STAR has become the nation's symbol for energy efficiency and enables consumers to easily identify energy-efficient appliances, electronics, office equipment, lighting and building products.

The primary function of EPA's ENERGY STAR program is to promote the use of energy-efficient products by giving consumers an easy way to identify those products that meet or exceed the specified minimum performance levels for energy efficiency. Over the history of the program, ENERGY STAR has become one of the most widely recognized consumer brands and has made it easy for millions to bring energy efficiency home. In 2009 the estimated energy savings from products in the program helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to what 30 million cars would have produced. The cost savings on utility bills, according to EPA, would equate to almost $17 billion.

Momentum Achieved As awareness grew and demand for ENERGY STAR products increased, manufacturers put more of their R&D into developing energy-efficient products and more marketing resources into promoting them. Today, the success of the ENERGY STAR brand can be seen in its public, industrial and governmental level of awareness. Consumers have come to recognize and often demand the ENERGY STAR label. Retailers use the label as a selling feature. Manufacturers have come to understand that the ENERGY STAR label is a must-have component of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

1992—EPA launched the ENERGY STAR program 1996—EPA formed a partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE). The following years revealed a number of new home products added to the list 2002—Widespread success of the ENERGY STAR program is firmly established when the one-billionth ENERGY STAR product was purchased



Q: What does the ENERGY STAR label represent? A: The ENERGY STAR label signifies savings: energy and money. ENERGY STAR products can help homeowners reduce energy costs by as much as 30%. Q: How does EPA regulate which products earn the label? A: Products earn the ENERGY STAR label by following a set of key guiding principles regulated by EPA. General ENERGY STAR product requirements for efficiency are detailed here:

• Product categories must contribute significant energy savings nationwide.

• Qualified products must deliver the energy-efficient features and performance that consumers demand.

• Verification with testing can be used to measure a product’s energy consumption and performance.

• Should the qualified product cost more than a comparable, less efficient product, the purchaser will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency within a reasonable period of time through utility bill savings.

Cause and Effect Q: Why has EPA made revisions to the ENERGY STAR program? A: ENERGY STAR has received a lot of media attention for vulnerabilities in the certification process. A 2007 audit by the EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified problems with EPA's ENERGY STAR process and accuracy control. Due to the lack of third-party testing, products were gaining verification without meeting proper standards. In 2009, another OIG report revealed that there had been few improvements to the process since 2008 and recommended, again, that the EPA do a much better job of verifying results used to qualify a product to bear the ENERGY STAR label. While OIG results showed that 98% of ENERGY STAR products did qualify for the label, the small number of products that did not were enough to potentially hurt the credibility of one of the world's most successful and beneficial brands. ENERGY STAR took the recommendations to heart, and by the time the November 2009 OIG report was issued, the program had already started taking action against a number of products and companies found to be non-compliant. Q: When did the ENERGY STAR Third-Party Certification procedures take effect? A: The newly updated product approval process is currently in effect (as of January 1, 2011). Changes include the introduction of a number of new players (detailed in this white paper), new third-party testing and annual verification requirements, as well as a slew of revisions for various product specifications.

The problems the OIG identified included:

• Insufficient verification testing

• Inconsistent test selection methods

• Lack of ongoing verification testing for some product categories.

• Lack of a robust quality assurance plan



Qualification Procedures Changes Certification Body Approval New EPA rules for product certification require that Certification Bodies (CBs) be accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 65, which specifies requirements for third-party product certification systems. A CB is responsible for verifying that the test data originated from an EPA-Recognized Laboratory, and for comparing test data to relevant product specifications. The new system

changes require manufacturers to provide laboratory verification reports for every model, which then require approval prior to proceeding. Following these program upgrades will protect the integrity of ENERGY STAR and serve to promote overall efficiency. Q: How will the new ENERGY STAR Third-Party Certification procedures change the ways in which Partners qualify products? A: Under the new requirements, Partners will be required to test their products in an EPA-Recognized Testing Laboratory of their choice, and ensure that that laboratory submits the

resultant product test reports to an EPA-Recognized Certification Body. Upon a successful review of a product test report, the CB will notify the Partner that the product in question is qualified, and submit the qualified product data to EPA for listing on the ENERGY STAR website. Q: How does EPA recognition of Accreditation Bodies, Laboratories or Certification Bodies work? A: An Accreditation Body (AB) for the ENERGY STAR Laboratory Recognition Program is responsible for assessing laboratory operations for compliance and maintaining documentation and an up-to-date directory identifying all EPA-Recognized Laboratories that the AB has accredited. An EPA-Recognized Laboratory is required to comply with test methods outlined in the ENERGY STAR program. As part of the reporting process the lab must submit a copy of their accreditation certificate and scope of accreditation to EPA. An EPA-Recognized Certification Body must maintain ISO Guide 65 accreditation. The CB is responsible for assessing whether a product meets relevant ENERGY STAR performance parameters and for determining a product’s qualification. Through direct communication with EPA, a CB submits qualified products for listing, maintains auditable records of each product’s qualification and verification history and issues each Notice of ENERGY STAR Certification. Essentially, this certification notice is a green light for manufacturers to use the ENERGY STAR logo with each certified product.



Q: How do I partner with a Certification Body for ENERGY STAR verification? A: The process for partnering with a CB is straightforward: Simply reach out to your preferred CB and let them know you are interested. The CB will provide a quotation and, once agreed upon, a project is opened and the relationship begins. Q: Is Intertek an EPA-Recognized Certification Body? A: Yes. Intertek was the first EPA-Recognized CB to cover certification for all gas and electrical ENERGY STAR product categories, including more than 60 product types across Appliances, Home Electronics, Information Technology, Lighting and Commercial Foodservice Equipment. Q: Am I required to use an accredited laboratory for ENERGY STAR testing? A: You are required to use an EPA-Recognized Laboratory, however not all EPA-Recognized Laboratories must be accredited. For example, first-party laboratories may gain EPA recognition by demonstrating enrollment in an EPA-Recognized Certification Body’s Supervised or Witnessed Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (SMTL/WMTL) program. This path to enrollment is an alternative to gaining recognition via EPA’s laboratory recognition application form, which requires formal accreditation. Q: Do I need formal ISO 17025 Accreditation to be an EPA-Recognized Laboratory? A: No, you do not. If you are a manufacturer participating in your CB’s Supervised Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (SMTL) program and/or Witnessed Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (WMTL) program then you are acknowledged as an EPA-Recognized Laboratory. However, if you do choose to become accredited to the ISO 17025 standard, you must still work with a CB to get your products ENERGY STAR qualified. Q: If I require off-the-line testing, can I conduct verification testing through a first-party laboratory? A: If off-the-line testing is the only feasible option (applicable for units obtained off-the-line from the manufacturing facility), manufacturers are permitted to conduct testing in an EPA-recognized first-party lab provided that qualified CB personnel witness the test. EPA anticipates that off-the-line testing will only be an option for extremely large, expensive or custom-built products. Q: If I am an EPA-recognized manufacturer lab, can I use multiple Certification Bodies? A: Yes, as long as you are in compliance with EPA programs. While EPA's preference is that manufacturers choose only one CB per product category, the Agency does not require them



to do so. However, from an operational standpoint it would prove strategically beneficial for manufacturers to develop a confident partnership with a single Certification Body. Q: For product certification, what documentation does the CB require? Similarly, what documentation does the CB provide? A: Documentation Required: The CB will require a completed test report and your signed certification agreement, as well as the product data. Documentation Provided: Once the product is certified, the CB will provide the client with a Notice of ENERGY STAR Certification, which confirms approval and access to use the ENERGY STAR logo with each certified product. This Notice is also an indication that the CB has submitted approval documentation to the EPA. Q: How much time is required for a Certification Body to review a test report? A: Intertek delivers 24-hour certification and submittal to EPA once testing is completed. That means that once test data is received, Intertek will review and accept the test report AND provide the Notice of ENERGY STAR Certification within 24 hours. You can start marking immediately (as long as all Partner agreements are in place), but it is unsure at this time how long it will take for the product to appear on ENERGY STAR qualifying products lists. However, EPA anticipates this will differ between product categories and certification bodies. As part of its application, a CB is required to provide EPA with a detailed description of its review process in order to allow EPA to estimate its potential impact on Partners’ product cycles. EPA intends to seek a commitment from Certification Bodies to review test reports within a timeframe that adequately addresses Partners’ concerns regarding product development cycles and time-to-market objectives. Q: Will EPA fund the new testing and verification procedures? How much will the new testing and verification procedures cost? A: No. Partners will pay laboratories and CBs directly in order to obtain the required third-party testing and verification. Fees and costs associated with the mandatory testing and certification will vary between CBs, and test labs. Q: Where can I find a list of EPA-Recognized Accreditation Bodies, Laboratories or Certification Bodies? A: Links to these lists are provided on ENERGY STAR’s Partner Resources webpage: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=partners.enhanced_test_verification. Here you will also find information about Intertek’s various EPA-verified accreditations. EPA continues to process applications for recognition and will update these lists on an ongoing basis.



Product types without new specifications in 2011-20012

are subject to annual verification. These include: - Commercial Steam Cookers - Commercial Refrigerators/Freezers

- Commercial Gas Griddles - Roofing Products - Windows, Doors & Skylights - Central A/C Systems - Air Source Heat Pumps - Geothermal Heat Pumps - Light Commercial HVAC - Room Air Cleaners

Updates for Third-Party Certification Q: Will my currently qualified ENERGY STAR products need to be retested in 2011? A: If your products were ENERGY STAR qualified prior to 2011, there are two things that can happen:

1. Products with specification revisions which have effective dates in either 2011 or 2012 will be subject to the new third-party certification requirements at the time that the defined specifications go into effect, and will not have to go through re-verification until that time.

2. If an existing ENERGY STAR product specification is

not undergoing a revision in 2011 or early 2012 and you wish to continue ENERGY STAR labeling on that product, then you must provide product characteristics and ratings to a Certification Body of your choice by March 31, 2011.

Q: Will products be subject to ongoing verification testing, and how often will this occur? A: Under the new restrictions, the qualification process doesn't end with EPA's approval to use the ENERGY STAR label. An ENERGY STAR qualified product is subject to on-going verification testing throughout its lifecycle. EPA’s objective is to ensure that a product continues to comply with ENERGY STAR requirements in production after initial certification. As required by EPA, CBs will begin the verification testing regimen in 2011 on the above listed products as well as newly certified ENERGY STAR products. Both CBs and the EPA have the discretion to determine when products will be selected, so the testing may take place on a quarterly, bi-annual, or annual schedule depending on CB preference and product category. Q: How many of my products will be subject to ongoing product verification testing? A: While the minimum annual verification limit as set by EPA is 10 percent of each product subtype, the number of an individual Partner’s products that are subject to verification testing in a given year will vary. The CB is responsible for procuring appropriate test samples on an annual basis – at least half of which will be randomly selected – and directing the testing of those samples for continued compliance to ENERGY STAR criteria. Samples may be collected from one of several sources:

• Open-market purchase (retail outlets for household products or contractor supply channels for commercial products) is EPA's preferred procurement method when dealing with high volume consumer products, seeing as this option is most representative of products going into consumers' homes.



• As a secondary alternative, a CB representative may obtain warehouse stock for use as samples. These are collected from a designated distribution point at which the product is available in quantity and packaged for shipment to its point of sale.

• Samples may also be collected straight off the production line, though this method is least preferred by EPA because of the associated risk of specially prepared test specimens. This method does however offer an advantage for collecting low-volume commercial products, especially those that are custom made or built to order.

Q: Once a product is ENERGY STAR certified, is the ENERGY STAR label available for a multitude of private branding, or does the product require separate testing and certification for each brand? A: If the products are the same and there is a chain of multiple listing within the CB, then one test will suffice. However, if you want the product to appear under two manufacturers, then each manufacturer will need to enroll separately in the ENERGY STAR program.

Q: Are private labelers exempt from ENERGY STAR testing if the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) already tested the product for ENERGY STAR? A: The OEM or the private labeler can take on the testing responsibility. It is up to either one of these parties to take on the responsibility of the certification process. If a manufacturer makes the device and brands it for someone else or wants to extend approval to someone else, that is okay in most cases. Be reminded that each party must apply separately to partner with ENERGY STAR, but the testing only needs to be conducted once.

So You Want your Product ENERGY STAR Certified Third-Party Testing Options Gaining ENERGY STAR qualification now requires submission of test reports from an EPA-Recognized Laboratory to substantiate product claims. OEMs are now faced with the task of evaluating their needs to determine what third-party testing option may work best for them. The place to start, naturally, is by assessing the testing lab's own certification. The lab must be able to prove its own formal ISO 17025 accreditation and have a formal partnership with a Guide 65-accredited, EPA-Recognized CB. Q: What should I consider when choosing whether or not to handle my own ENERGY STAR testing in-house? What are the drawbacks? A: Product OEMs who have in-house testing facilities will need to determine if their lab will meet the specifications of ISO 17025 compliance under the scrutiny of a CB evaluation. If not, they must consider what investments and upgrades are needed to bring it to that point. If the EPA decides in the near future to require formal ISO 17025 accreditation of manufacturer labs, is the manufacturer ready to make that investment of resources? This decision-making process may be a gamble.



Additionally, the OEM must factor in accreditation expenses and annual fees, supporting the quality system, proficiency testing, and training and salaries for added staff. An OEM also has to factor in the added value that a highly effective third-party test lab can bring to the process. Is it feasible to replicate in-house expertise and capability to increase benefits for the manufacturer? If so, what is the cost? The truth is that no matter how well-equipped, managed and maintained an in-house lab may be, first-party certification will always be perceived by the public as less trustworthy than testing by a third-party. Not only does partnering with the right lab expedite the verification process, it also provides access to global resources. As such, many OEMs are opting for the inherent credibility advantage associated with third-party testing. Q: What can a third-party test lab do for product manufacturers in addition to, but integrated with ENERGY STAR testing? A: Consider all that the lab can offer. While acquiring the ENERGY STAR label is a primary focus, the benefits of choosing the right lab can significantly improve product integration in the market. Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the lab’s ability to get a single product through the test cycle without delay—but that's the least a third-party test lab should be able to do for a manufacturer with a complex product development program. Keep in mind the scope of a potential testing lab's expertise and how it can be leveraged to your advantage.

• How can the test lab streamline the overall product development process by, for example, handling safety certification, performance certification, EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) testing and environmental testing?

• Can the company consult on product design to help address ENERGY STAR, safety and performance issues early in the design cycle to accelerate overall product development?

• What services does the lab offer that can reduce the overall time and resources needed for the broad-based, company-wide product development process—including the complicated web of U.S. regional and international safety standards, product certification labeling and energy efficiency labeling schemes?

Q: What specifically should I look for in a third-party test lab? A: Use these key traits as a checklist. Your test lab should be able to provide the following:

• Expertise and competence with respect to the targeted product categories.

• Industry knowledge and an understanding of the technologies associated with the product.



• A proven track-record in assisting manufacturers with the ENERGY STAR certification process.

• Functionality and an operational structure, conducive to getting products in the door and tested without wasted effort or unproductive delay.

• Responsiveness to facilitate quick turnaround. In addition, consider partnering with an EPA-Recognized Certification Body to fulfill your third-party testing needs. Your CB will be able to provide end-to-end certification, including assistance in the reporting stages of the process. By partnering with a lab that ensures 24-hour certification and submittal to the EPA Qualified Product directory once testing is completed, products will reach their full potential at a quicker rate. Q: How can I have third-party testing performed without interrupting my product development workflow? A: Partnering with an experienced testing laboratory is critical to maximize efficiencies and increase speed-to-market. Active industry participation and involvement is a key attribute for any highly esteemed laboratory, and serves manufacturers well in helping to maximize efficiencies throughout the entire product approval process. Manufacturers should expect their test lab to make itself valuable to the process. Ideally, the lab should have an ongoing relationship with EPA and maintain a full understanding of the ENERGY STAR certification process and requirements. Labs that are immersed in the ENERGY STAR testing environment naturally have a better understanding of the specifications, the process of approval, and even of the rationale behind the specifics of a given product specification. Data-Acceptance Programs Manufacturer laboratories may be qualified by a CB to participate in a Supervised Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (SMTL) program and/or a Witnessed Manufacturer Testing Laboratory (WMTL) program, in which a CB is responsible for either supervising or witnessing a manufacturer’s testing, and then accepting that test data for submittal to EPA. Q: How does a laboratory participating in a CB’s Data Acceptance Program demonstrate its participation to EPA? A: For manufacturers participating in an SMTL program, the CB assesses the manufacturer laboratory and assembles evidence to establish confidence that the laboratory will produce accurate results without the presence of a CB representative. Once qualified, the manufacturer laboratory performs testing and submits data to the CB for review and acceptance for program certification purposes. For manufacturers participating in a WMTL program, the CB assesses the manufacturer laboratory and assembles evidence to establish confidence that the laboratory will produce accurate results while a CB representative is present. Once qualified, the manufacturer



laboratory performs testing in the presence of a CB representative, and submits data to the CB for review and acceptance for program certification purposes. Q: As an EPA-Recognized Certification Body, does Intertek maintain its own Data Acceptance Program for ENERGY STAR? A: Yes! Intertek has announced a revolutionary SATELLITE Data Acceptance Program to support ENERGY STAR Partners that will conduct testing in their own labs. Partners will submit test data directly to Intertek for engineering review to product specification requirements, and then ENERGY STAR certification will be awarded for compliant products. Q: How long will it take before my laboratory is recognized under Intertek’s SATELLITE Data Acceptance Program? A: Intertek is ready to audit labs for SATELLITE testing immediately. Upon successful results of the audit, Intertek will have a confidence building period (usually 3 tests) and then the manufacture can perform their own testing for the CB to review. Essentially, the process will progress as quickly as the manufacturer wants to move. Q: If I am part of Intertek’s SATELLITE SMTL program for ETL product safety, am I automatically a part of Intertek’s SATELLITE SMTL program for ENERGY STAR compliance? A: Being admitted into one SATELLITE program does not automatically grant you admittance to the SATELLITE Data Acceptance Program for ENERGY STAR. ENERGY STAR test standards will have to be added to your SATELLITE program scope, a process that may require additional on-site assessment of your laboratories.

Q: Will my laboratory be evaluated by EPA during the recognition process? A: EPA will not conduct a site visit. Instead, staff from an EPA-Recognized Accreditation Body will conduct a site visit for manufacturers seeking accreditation. If you are seeking enrolment in Intertek’s SATELLITE Data Acceptance Program (for Partners that will conduct testing in their own labs and submit test data to Intertek for engineering review), view details for setting up a site visit at www.intertek.com/SATELLITE.

Keeping Up with Spec Changes

Revisions & Development

ENERGY STAR will accelerate the pace at which it revises existing product specifications and will continue to develop new requirements to keep up with ever-changing technologies. The scope of ENERGY STAR in the United States is continuously expanding and now covers 41product types, all of which are subject to the Third-Party Certification requirements.



Q: What factors are considered when EPA decides to revise specifications? A: There are several factors that contribute to EPA’s decision. A market share of 50 percent or higher in a particular product category is generally the cause for consideration to revise current specifications. Other factors include:

• A change (or changes) to federally recognized minimum efficiency standards

• Technological changes with advances in energy efficiency that have the potential to yield additional savings

• Product availability/demand on the market

• Issues with consumers coming to expect specific energy savings

• Performance and/or quality issues

• Issues with test procedures Q: How will first-party EPA-Recognized Laboratories be affected by spec changes? A: When an ENERGY STAR specification is revised, EPA will require that the laboratory ensures its methods remain consistent with the test methods described in the program requirements of the currently effective version of the specification. Laboratories are not automatically required to update their Scopes of Accreditation. However, significant changes in test method, for example, when a specification revision calls for a different test method altogether from the preceding specification version, will necessitate a Scope of Accreditation update to reflect the newly required test method.

Q: If the status of a product is ‘pending’ when will the new requirements go into effect? A: EPA has been delayed on the development cycle due to the program changes that took effect on January 1, 2011. However, this link can be utilized to monitor the current requirements, revisions and development for all ENERGY STAR product categories: https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=partners.pt_products_and_program_reqs

Q: Is there an energy consumption requirement per product category? A: Each product type has energy requirements, either maximum limits on measures of energy consumption or minimum limits for measures of energy efficiency.

Q: Are Certification Bodies able to certify product categories that are currently under revision? A: When under revision, product specifications are constantly being modified. CBs can certify products to new specifications once the specification is finalized, but before it becomes effective. That is, if a specification is finalized in January but does not become effective until September, CBs can certify to the new specification in the interim. This will ensure that



products that meet the new specification will stay on the qualified product list after the effective date. Q: What would constitute as ‘product failure’ during verification testing? A: ENERGY STAR products will not pass verification testing if they fail to comply with ENERGY STAR requirements outlined in the individual product specifications.

Updates to the ENERGY STAR Partner Agreement A manufacturer (or U.S. distributor) who wishes to use the ENERGY STAR logo on or in connection with its products must first become a “Partner.” The right to use the logo is granted in exchange for the Partner’s “commitment” that their use of the ENERGY STAR logo will be in accordance with ENERGY STAR rules. Q: How can I participate in the ENERGY STAR program? A: To participate in the program, you first need to become an ENERGY STAR Partner. The partnership agreement form and instructions to apply can be obtained from the ENERGY STAR Web site (www.energystar.gov/join). Once you are a partner, you can submit products for inclusion into the program. Q: What is the difference between a “Partner” and an “Applicant”? A: As detailed in the revised Partner Commitments, an ENERGY STAR “Partner” is an organization that has qualified at least one product which is currently available on the market. The term “Applicant” refers to an organization that has formally submitted an ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement, but has yet to qualify a product that is available on the market.



Q: When may I start marketing my product as ENERGY STAR qualified? A: Existing Partners may begin to market products as ENERGY STAR qualified as soon as they receive the Notice of ENERGY STAR Certification from their CB, which is an indication that the product meets ENERGY STAR specifications. For prospective Partners qualifying their first product, the application process will need to be completed by EPA, which will then provide the new Partner with the label and materials to market its product as ENERGY STAR qualified. Q: As a current Partner, why should I recommit? A: EPA revised the Partner Commitments to include participation in third-party certification requirements for the ENERGY STAR program. In order to continue partnership with EPA, all existing manufacturer/private labeler Partners must recommit to abide by these new commitments. (This recommitment effort is not required of retailers; utilities and other program sponsors; or cable and telecom service providers.) To avoid partnership interruption, Partners must confirm their commitment to continue in the ENERGY STAR program. Organizations that failed to recommit by the November 30, 2010 deadline may notice that their company name has been removed from ENERGY STAR’s list of partners on the Web, and that their products are removed from Qualified Product lists. Organizations will still be able to recommit after the deadline has passed, but will likely experience a month’s delay before their products and organization name are restored to the ENERGY STAR website, and may also be asked to re-apply for ENERGY STAR Partnership. Manufacturers who chose not to recommit are no longer considered Partners, and are required to stop using the ENERGY STAR label on products and in all other locations immediately. Q: Am I eligible for ENERGY STAR Partnership if my organization does not sell an eligible product within the U.S. or a partner country? A: No. ENERGY STAR partnership is not an option for organizations that do not sell an eligible product within the U.S. or a partner country.

Global Energy Efficiency As consumer product companies expand their markets outside the borders of the United States, the time and resources required to design and test the products to meet the needs of international markets must be factored into the process of getting a product from concept to market.



The most efficient product development process considers the needs of all its intended and potential international markets at the early design stages. This is no small feat, considering the complexities of the standards. To stay ahead of the “green curve” look to partner with a testing facility that is investing in new testing capabilities and advisory services across a global network. The benefits of inter-relationships between ENERGY STAR and other energy efficiency programs globally (e.g. Energy Guide Label, CEC, NRCan, SASO, ErP), can be used to help manufacturers form regional and/or global compliance solutions. Heavy promotion and an ever-expanding scope of labeled products helped to develop ENERGY STAR into one of the most familiar brands in the United States—and elsewhere. Through agreements with the U.S. EPA, the ENERGY STAR program was adopted by other nations around the world. The familiar logo can today be found on a limited number of products in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, Japan and Taiwan.

Conclusion Through these program improvements, it is clear that the EPA is intent on protecting the ENERGY STAR brand, which has become an iconic symbol of energy efficiency. Despite the changes, becoming ENERGY STAR certified is just as simple as ever. Partnering with the right lab will expedite the verification process and open doors to possible new product testing avenues. Going beyond the basic standards of ENERGY STAR testing will not only improve the overall efficiency of a product, but will also benefit your company’s energy-conscious reputation and maximize its investments. Q: Where can I find the published ENERGY STAR program requirements? A: For more information about the program requirements, visit EPA’s ENERGY STAR website at www.energystar.gov.

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 26,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world. Intertek Group plc (ITRK) is listed on the London Stock Exchange in the FTSE 100 index.

This publication is copyright Intertek and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the prior written permission of Intertek. While due care has been taken during the preparation of this document, Intertek cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein or for any consequence arising from it. Clients are encouraged to seek Intertek’s current advice on their specific needs before acting upon any of the content.

insightful energy star faqs for staying ahead of the game€¦ · intertek testing services 70...

Documents