FOR EVERYONE
GEMS Regulator
The Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Regulator supports the delivery of energy efficiency polices under the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the department).
We achieve this by regulating products that meet Minimum Energy Performance Standards or Energy Rating Label requirements to be supplied in Australia.
See About us, specifically our responsibilities and legislation, on the department’s website for polices that the department administers.
Who we are
The GEMS Regulator promotes the development and adoption of energy-efficient products to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
The GEMS Regulator is a nominated representative of the Department who is delegated to make decisions. Department staff have delegated permissions to fulfill their duties under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012(Act).
The GEMS Regulator was established on 1 October 2012. This heralded the alignment of state and territory energy efficiency legislation for appliances and equipment under the Equipment Energy Efficiency Program, replacing previous state and territory regulators.
What we do
Our main functions include:
- administering the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012
- maintaining the Energy Rating Product Registration system including the Energy Rating Registration Database and the Energy Rating Calculator
- assisting the development of GEMS determinations.
We can:
- make arrangements with Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies (for example the Inter-Governmental Agreement for the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards)
- engage consultants
- undertake or commission research in relation to GEMS determinations or product classes that are or could be regulated
- provide information and advice on GEMS determinations and product classes that are or could be regulated, and the operation the Act
- monitor and enforce compliance
- review and evaluate the operation the Act including the internal review of applications.
Program objectives
Reduce energy bills for households and businesses
Drive energy efficiency improvements in new appliances and equipment
Decrease greenhouse gas emissions from appliance use
Our responsibilities
We promote the development and adoption of products that:
- use less energy
- produce fewer greenhouse gases
- contribute to reducing the amount of energy used, or greenhouse gases produced, by other products.
We manage our national commitment to facilitate the operation of the Equipment Energy Efficiency Program, including the Energy Efficiency Working Group and committees.
We manage our international commitment to meet obligations that Australia has agreed to under the Climate Change Convention and Paris Agreement.
Our service commitment
The GEMS Regulator Service Charter outlines the standard of service our stakeholders can expect from the GEMS Regulator and supporting staff.
This includes the services we provide in processing applications for registrations under the Act, our interactions with stakeholders during compliance activities, and when we are responding to enquiries.
See our service charter
