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In a decision reached by Energy and Climate Change Ministers on Friday 19 July 2024, the following products will no longer be regulated under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012:

• set top boxes
• ballasts for fluorescent lamps
• and transformers and electronic step-down converters for extra low voltage (ELV) lamps.

This means that they no longer need to meet Minimum Energy Performance Standards or to be registered for sale in Australia.

No action is required from businesses following these changes. They can continue to sell their existing stock, as well as any new stock.

The decision to remove these requirements was reached after a review of the market and consultation with the public. The review considered many factors, including the costs for business and government to regulate these products, the energy savings to households and reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. It was decided that it was no longer efficient or effective to maintain minimum energy and performance standards on these products.

This is part of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s ongoing work to monitor and review our regulation to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose.

For more information download and read the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council communique.