International Comparison of Energy Efficiency Awards for Appliance Manufacturers and Retailers

A special feature in some mandatory and voluntary labeling programs is awards and recognitions for manufacturers who have gone above and beyond standard requirements in producing energy efficient appliances. Such programs have a long history in Japan and in the U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR program. However, many consumers make purchase decisions on energy efficient appliances at the point of sales, so the retailers' qualifications are also significant. For this reason, the ENERGY STAR program also awards retailers based on their product offerings, employee knowledge and training, as well as marketing and consumer education. In this paper, the methodologies and processes for awarding manufacturers and retailers will be examined in Japan, the U.S., and China. The U.S. experience in particular will be analyzed to compare the advantages of awarding retailers in addition to manufacturers and how this helps appliance labeling programs expand. Experience from China's "Energy Saving Product Manufacturers Leadership" will also be detailed with recommendations for how retailer award programs might be introduced to China.