Download - Tim Yeend Australian Mission to the WTO Australias Energy Efficiency Labelling Experience
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Tim YeendTim Yeend
Australian Mission to the WTOAustralian Mission to the WTO
Australia’s Energy Efficiency Australia’s Energy Efficiency Labelling ExperienceLabelling Experience
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Australia’s positionAustralia’s position
• Labelling schemes promoting environmental and energy conservation outcomes can adversely affect trade
• Like other forms of technical standard setting, labelling schemes, must be designed in a manner that is least trade restrictive
• The TBT Agreement provides a clear framework for the preparation, adoption and application of technical standards and regulations, including those related to labelling
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The Australian experienceThe Australian experience
The Australian experience with energy conservation schemes shows that:– Labelling needs to be treated like other technical
standards;– In ensuring that unnecessary obstacles to trade are
avoided, transparency and the willingness to consider alternatives are vital.
– The information contained on labels should be factual and not subjective.
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Australia’s regulatory approachAustralia’s regulatory approach
• Commenced in some areas in 1986 and nationally in 1992
• Applies to refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers & dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers
• Label specifications are stipulated in the Australia Standard
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How the Australian label worksHow the Australian label works• The star rating provides a visual
comparative assessment (based on the familiar hotel and restaurant guides)
• The comparative energy consumption (usually kilowatt hours/year) provides an estimate of the annual energy consumption in idealised circumstances
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Aims of the schemeAims of the scheme
The aim of the Australian system is to provide consumers with information and to contribute to
energy conservation in a manner that avoids unnecessary obstacles to trade.
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It starts with transparencyIt starts with transparency• Labelling requirements are notified years in
advance to suppliers with imported product so that they can influence proposed label changes
• Labelling requirements are published and are easily accessible by potential new entrants
• Labelling requirements are notified to the WTO
TBT committee
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It only continues with economic It only continues with economic justificationjustification
– Can the energy saving be achieved without legislation (ie using voluntary labels)?
– Are alternatives to labels viable?
– What are the likely additional costs from regulating the label and are these costs likely to
be offset?
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It relies on international testing It relies on international testing • There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach
• In some instances, Australia uses methods-of-test developed by the relevant international bodies (IEC, ISO, etc), consistent with Article 2.4 of the TBT Agreement
• Regional standards are also used, for example, between Australia and New Zealand
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It recognises that labels must be It recognises that labels must be culturally appropriateculturally appropriate
• The Australian label achieves very high recognition levels (85- 90%)
• Each country must use label images that communicate effectively to their citizens
• The same label throughout the world for non-international goods is not practical or even desirable
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It does impose sanctions if It does impose sanctions if labelling claims are inaccuratelabelling claims are inaccurate
• The labelling scheme is jointly promoted and enforced by government authorities, local manufacturers and
importers
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It has achieved measurable It has achieved measurable resultsresults
• The labelling scheme has the support of importers and manufacturers alike and has achieved measurable results.
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Technical AssistanceTechnical Assistance
• Australia is actively explaining and discussing our labelling scheme through international bodies like the IEA and APEC
• Australia is also assisting NGOs operating in this field to develop standards and labelling schemes in developing countries (eg CLASP, partially funded by GEF)
• Australia is engaging in an increasing number of bilateral and regional arrangements aimed at sharing information about standards and labelling schemes
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For further InformationFor further Information
Please refer to:
• www.energyrating.gov.au
• www.standards.com.au
Specific questions can be emailed to: