Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Energy Labelling from the GEMS
Attached for your information only at this stage is a discussion paper on proposed national legislation for Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Energy Labelling from the GEMS Legislation Taskforce (DEWHA).
MEPS Discussion Paper
This discussion paper seeks to stimulate discussion around a number of questions concerning the proposed new national minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and energy labelling legislation and encourages stakeholders to provide feedback to the questions enclosed.
Whilst concentrating on appliances I draw your attention to page 10 and the question as to What is the scope to expand the range of products beyond electrical appliances and equipment?
To date only electrical appliances and equipment have been regulated, although the MCE has a mandate to regulate the energy efficiency of gas appliances and equipment (see Appendix IV for a list of products that are expected to be regulated under the current program by 2011). MEPS for the first gas product (i.e. gas water heaters) is expected to be implemented in late 2010.
Under the proposed national legislation, the current MEPS and energy labelling requirements for appliances and equipment would be retained, however the program could be extended to cover:
• Non-energy using products - products that do not consume energy but have a direct impact on the energy performance of regulated appliances and equipment (e.g. ducting for heating and cooling, window glazing or insulation)
It is important to note that this component of the proposed legislation could complement other regulatory schemes, such as the Building Code of Australia (BCA), in improving the energy efficiency of the built environment. For the products discussed above, the BCA would continue to specify the overall minimum performance requirements for the construction of a building, while the proposed national MEPS and energy labelling legislation could enable non-energy consuming products to be tested to ensure that they meet the standards claimed by the manufacturer. As an example, if a generic window or glazing calculator was used in a building to help meet the overall minimum performance requirements of the BCA, the proposed legislation would enable the windows to be tested (simulated) to ensure that it performs to the claimed standard.
I reiterate that windows are not on the 2011 listing for action BUT are being discussed. The AWA will monitor the progress of GEMS and keep you in the loop.
If any of you have any preliminary comments or believe this is an area we should endorse and pursue now I would welcome your feedback by this Friday.