New U.S. ENERGY STAR Lighting Standard

Recently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the "Energy Star Lighting Product Specification Version 1.1", this release is less than six months from the previous version. The new version mainly improves the requirements in terms of lighting inspection certification and Energy Star labeling. In terms of testing and certification, the new version requires that the performance and test procedures of all lighting products must comply with the latest ENERGY STAR guidelines, and that they must be tested in an EPA-accredited laboratory and must have a product qualification certificate issued by an EPA-approved certification body. In terms of ENERGY STAR labeling, the new version requires that the ENERGY STAR logo be clearly marked on the product packaging and product-related documents (such as user manuals, product instruction sheets, etc.) and be on the manufacturer’s website. Indicate the product model that receives the ENERGY STAR logo, and the ENERGY STAR product manufacturer must also be supervised by the EPA/DoE.

The Energy Star is a voluntary labeling system created by the US Environmental Protection Agency under the Energy Policy Act and now covers a variety of product areas including home appliances, home electronics, heating and cooling equipment, computers and office equipment, and lighting equipment. Although the Energy Star is a voluntary requirement, it has become an important basis for consumers to choose products, and can obtain preferential government procurement. It also has a very wide range of influences around the world and is currently recognized and introduced by developed countries such as Canada, Japan, the European Union, and Australia.

For this reason, the inspection and quarantine department reminds related companies to strengthen their sense of sensitivity and to track changes in relevant regulations and standards in a timely manner through various means. For example, they can directly understand the latest requirements through foreign official gazettes or through domestic WTO/TBT organizations. The website has access to relevant Chinese materials; it is necessary to establish a sense of initiative to ensure good quality raw materials, production safety and export inspections in quality management, focus on energy efficiency design requirements in product development, and strengthen independent research and development capabilities to ensure that products meet the new norms. All energy efficiency requirements; to increase the monitoring and testing of product energy efficiency indicators, analysis of existing problems through the test results, improve production technology and technical level, in order to protect the sustainable development of enterprises.