Regulatory requirements for energy labelling and MEPS

The

MEPS and Energy Labeling Process document sets out the process for the development of MEPS levels in Australia and New Zealand.

Contacts

Regulations for energy labelling and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) typically include a range of provisions and requirements which are summarised below. It should be noted that the exact requirements and penalties for any offences should be checked with the relevant authority: information provided here is only a guide. Currently, energy labelling applications for an approved energy label are accepted by New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New Zealand. A registration for energy labelling in any of these juristictions are accepted as valid in all other juristictions.

All energy labels must be approved by a regulatory authority: All products within the scope of energy labelling and/or MEPS must be registered. Applications for energy label registration and MEPS compliance are to include:

test reports or data to the relevant standard (the number of units to be tested varies - see particular requirements by product);
demonstration that the relevant performance requirements have been met by the model in addition to the measurement of energy consumption;
a sample label (where applicable);
the product meets the MEPS requirements (where applicable);
the prescribed fee.

Cancellation of the label or MEPS approval: the regulatory authority can cancel the registration where there are reasonable grounds for doing so.

Offences: The following offences are typically contained in regulations.

person must not offer to supply (eg sell) a "specified" article which is not registered for energy labelling or MEPS (as applicable), or where the registration has been cancelled;
energy label must not be obscured;
other information must not be shown near the label that conflicts with data on the energy label;
making a false or misleading declaration;
registration holders must notify the regulatory authority of any change of contact details;
registration holders must supply a sample for testing on the request of the regulatory authority;
registration holders may be liable for costs of check testing by the regulatory authority if tests show that the model does not comply.

Regulatory Contacts

The entities below will accept and process applications for energy labelling and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS):

NSW
Energy Labelling/MEPS Section
NSW Department of Water and Energy
Level 17, 227 Elizabeth Street
Sydney NSW 2000
(GPO Box 3889, Sydney NSW 2001)
Tel 02 8281 7706
Fax 02 8281 7750
Email: energylabelling@dwe.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.dwe.nsw.gov.au

Queensland
Electrical Safety Office
Department of Industrial Relations
LMB 2234
BRISBANE QLD 4001
Tel +61 7 3237 0280
Fax +61 7 3406 3808
Email: equipmentsafety@dir.qld.gov.au
Website: www.eso.qld.gov.au

South Australia
Energy Labelling Section
Office of the Technical Regulator
Level 8, 11 Waymouth St
Adelaide SA 5000
Postal address: PO Box 1 Walkerville SA 5081
Tel 08 8226 5530
Fax 08 8226 5529
Email: robert.anderson@saugov.sa.gov.au
Website: www.technicalregulator.sa.gov.au

Victoria
Energy Labelling Section
Energy Safe Victoria
PO Box 262
Collins Street West VIC 8007
Tel 03 9203 9700
Fax 03 9686 2197
Email: energyefficiency@esv.vic.gov.au
Website: www.esv.vic.gov.au

New Zealand
Manager Products - Product Regulation
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
PO Box 388
WELLINGTON NEW ZEALAND
Tel +64 4 470 2238
Fax +64 4 499 5330
Email: terry.collins@eeca.govt.nz
Website: www.eeca.govt.nz

If you are calling from outside of Australia, delete the initial 0 and replace with +61

Energy Labelling and MEPS Legislation and Regulations

New South Wales
Energy and Utilities Administration Regulation 2006 made under the Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2004 . See Australasian Legal Information Institute (UTS) for an online version of the regulations.

Queensland
Electricity Regulation 2006 made under the Electricity Act 1994. See Chapter 7 of the regulations (Energy Efficiency and Performance of Electrical Equipment). An electronic copy can be obtained from the Queensland Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (look under Legislation starting with letter "E").

South Australia
Energy labelling regulations in South Australia are called Electrical Products Regulations 2001 under the Electrical Products Act 2000. See South Australian Attorney-General's Department for more details (the Act and Regulations can be viewed online under the alphabetical listings).

Victoria
Electricity Safety (Equipment Efficiency) Regulations 1999, regulation No.48/1999 under the Electricity Safety Act 1998. The ESV web site has links to all current safety and energy efficiency Acts and regulations.

New Zealand
Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002, (SR 2002/9) under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000. New Zealand Legislation website has links to New Zealand Acts, Bills and Regulations.

This page last modified 02 February 2009