April 13, 2007—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the China Standard Certification Center (CSC) have agreed to work toward harmonizing information on their respective energy-efficiency labels for consumer electronics and office equipment. According to EPA, labeling helps decrease energy consumption, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
China’s rapid economic growth rate has been accompanied by large increases in energy demand, notes EPA. Improving the energy efficiency of common products will also help China meet its goal of reducing energy intensity 20 percent by 2010.
EPA reportedly has a long history of cooperation with China on clean air and clean energy issues, including voluntary energy efficiency labeling. With EPA’s assistance on certification development, CSC has added 10 product categories to their certification and labeling program since 2001, including computers, monitors, televisions, office copiers, fax machines, and external power supplies.
For more about the China Standard Certification partnership, visit EPA’s Energy Star site.
