ENERGY STAR is a voluntary energy efficiency certification program that identifies efficient products and helps reduce energy consumption. It covers office equipment, household appliances, lighting and other products. Applications require testing and review for the relevant category.
1. Certification Overview
ENERGY STAR is a government energy-saving program jointly promoted by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the environment and conserve energy. Approved products are listed on the official website, may qualify for energy-saving subsidies and receive strong market recognition. ENERGY STAR issues certificates and, like DLC, is voluntary.
ENERGY STAR was launched in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The program was later adopted by Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand and the EU. It is voluntary, and its standards typically provide 20–30% greater energy savings than US federal standards. Initially focused on computers and other information technology products, it expanded to motors, office equipment, lighting and appliances. It later extended to buildings. Since 1996, the EPA has promoted an ENERGY STAR buildings program, helping voluntary participants assess energy use in lighting, air conditioning and office equipment, plan efficiency improvements and track results. ENERGY STAR marks can therefore also be found on homes and commercial or industrial buildings incorporating environmental design concepts.
2. Certification Mark
3. Product Scope
1. Office Equipment: Computers, copiers, fax machines, digital duplicators, external power adapters, laptops, monitors, printers, scanners, multifunction devices, water coolers and more.
2. Household Appliances: Battery charging systems, digital-to-analog converter boxes, cordless phones, TV/VCR and TV/DVD combination units, DVD products, external power adapters, home audio equipment, televisions, VCRs and more.
3. Luminaires below 250 W connected directly to the mains, mainly indoor residential lighting: fluorescent luminaires, light engines, surface-mounted retrofit kits, ceiling-mounted retrofit kits, portable luminaires and integrated luminaires. Excluded products: industrial outdoor lighting, high-bay or low-bay lighting, and panel lights (2 × 2, 1 × 4 and 2 × 4).
4. Certification Standards
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Product |
Energy Efficiency Standards |
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Lamps |
ENERGY STAR Program Requirements Product Specification for Lamps |
|
Lighting Products |
ENERGY STAR Program Requirements Product Specification for Luminaires |
|
Power Supplies |
Standards to be added |
|
Information Technology Equipment (ITE) |
Standards to be added |
|
Audio/Video (AV) Products |
Standards to be added |
4. Test Items
Testing associated with ENERGY STAR includes safety, EMI, surge and noise (these are not ENERGY STAR efficiency test items). Photometric and energy efficiency tests include:
1. Luminous Efficacy and Luminous Flux
2. Color Temperature, Color Deviation and Color Rendering Index
3. Luminous Intensity Distribution and Zonal Luminous Flux
4. Spatial Color Nonuniformity
5. Switching Cycles
6. Lumen Maintenance
7. Color Maintenance
8. Dimensions
9. Electrical Parameters
5. Required Documents
1. Product User Manual
2. Safety Design Documents (Including Critical Construction Drawings)
3. Product Technical Specifications
4. Electrical Schematics
5. Product Wiring Diagram
6. Critical Component or Raw Material List (Use Products Bearing European Certification Marks).
7. Copies of Product or Component Certificates.
8. Other Required Documents.
6. Certification Process
1. Provide ENERGY STAR certification information and the application form
2. The applicant completes the form and submits manufacturer information
3. Submit samples and product documents
4. Conduct laboratory testing on the samples
5. Submit test data and documents to the ENERGY STAR authority
6. After approval, ENERGY STAR issues a letter
7. Apply the ENERGY STAR label to the product
7. Certification Timeline & Validity
ENERGY STAR certification takes 2–3 weeks. Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
8. Factory Inspection
ENERGY STAR certification does not require factory inspection.
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US ENERGY STAR Certification |
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· Testing Content: Energy Efficiency |
