ESCAP MEETING SEES APPLIANCE STANDARDS AND LABELS
AS KEY TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Harmonizing standards, labels and test procedures expand export markets,
lower energy bills for consumers

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services), 1 June 2001 –Standards and labelling programs for appliances, lighting products and motors represent the most cost-effective way for countries to realize their energy efficiency goals.

This was one of the key conclusions made yesterday at a three-day meeting on “Lessons Learned in Asia: Regional Symposium on Energy Efficiency Standards and Labelling,” held from 29-31 May 2001 at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok. The meeting was attended by 125 experts from 25 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and North America.

At the meeting experts exchanged lessons learned, success stories and information on standards and labelling activities in the region.

Experts noted that harmonizing or aligning standards, labels and test procedures across countries results in expanded export markets for manufacturers, as well as improved choices and lower energy bills for consumers.

“We expect that if consumers have better information on the quality and energy efficiency of home appliances, they will make more economical and more environmentally-friendly choices,” said Ravi Sawhny, senior ESCAP official.

Delegates called on the international community to provide additional support to energy efficiency standards and labelling programs to help developing countries meet their energy efficiency and climate change goals.

According to experts, if a new air conditioning standard was introduced immediately in China, for example, 300,000 tones of carbon dioxide emissions could be saved by the year 2010. Likewise, a new standard for fluorescent lamp ballasts could save China 1.35 million tones of carbon dioxide emissions in the same time period.

International support has played a key role in the establishment of standards and labelling programs in developing countries through such initiatives as capacity building, strengthening of testing facilities, support to market research and analysis, and evaluation of impacts on manufacturers and consumers. There are 14 countries in Asia with energy efficiency standards and labelling programmes, or half of the total number worldwide.

Delegates called for additional support to countries without such programs in order to help them mobilize domestic stakeholders, establish appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks and launch national programs. Countries with such programs need support in order to expand coverage of appliances and to upgrade existing standards.

Echoing the sentiments of delegates, Dr. Pongpissit from the National Energy Policy Office of Thailand stated, “It is more than just realizing economic and environmental benefits; these programs help make the world a better place.”

The meeting was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Collaborative Labelling and Appliance Standards Program, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social. Support was provided by the United Nations Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, National Energy Policy Office, and Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. David Lazarus, Chief, United Nations Information Services/ESCAP
Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 288-1234; Fax: (66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org