Hyderabad: In a significant move to promote energy efficiency and enhance consumer welfare, the National Test House (NTH) under the Department of Consumer Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Govt. of India in New Delhi.
In the presence of Nidhi Khare Secretary, Dept. of Consumers Affairs, Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary Ministry of Power and Additional Secretary Dr. Srikanth Nagulapalli, Director General of BEE. The MoU was signed by Milind Deore, Secretary, BEE, and Alok Kumar Srivastava, Director General, NTH, marking a critical step forward in India’s journey towards sustainable energy management.
This collaboration aims to strengthen the Standards & Labelling (S&L) Program across India, ensuring the highest quality of energy-efficient appliances for consumers.
This partnership ushers in a new era for energy efficiency in India, where the public will benefit from accessing top-rated, 5-star appliances that not only reduce energy costs but also significantly cut down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The MoU between NTH and BEE aims to improve market surveillance and reliable testing to ensure energy-efficient products meet the required standards. This is a critical step toward sustainable economic development and reducing carbon footprints, aligning with India’s goal of becoming an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
Key Features of the MoU:
Referral Laboratory Recognition: BEE will recognize NTH as a referral laboratory and will refer cases involving technical disputes regarding test results for expert consultation.
Technical Committees: NTH officers will be appointed to BEE’s various Technical Committees, recognizing their expertise in energy efficiency standards.
Capacity Building: NTH will conduct training sessions for BEE officers at NTH regional laboratories and BEE headquarters in Delhi to build capacity in energy efficiency standards and testing.
Review and Improvement: A comprehensive review of the existing S&L Program, including check testing procedures, will be undertaken to ensure the highest standards.
Speaking at the MoU signing, Nidhi Khare emphasized the importance of durable, high-quality products for consumers. “Products should be designed not to fail but to last. This MoU will serve as a stepping stone towards a lasting relationship between NTH and BEE, ensuring consumers’ rights and product reliability,” she stated.
Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, stressed the importance of monitoring industry compliance with the star ratings provided by BEE. “We must ensure that industries consistently meet the standards of the star ratings they have received. This collaboration with the Department of Consumer Affairs will bolster market surveillance and reliable testing,” he said. He further emphasized the need for BEE to actively create awareness among consumers about the benefits of star-rated electrical appliances and encourage them to purchase only such products.
The partnership between NTH, a premier scientific and testing agency, and BEE, a leader in energy efficiency initiatives through its S&L Program, is poised to significantly impact India’s sustainable development goals. By enhancing energy conservation and reducing electricity consumption, this collaboration will help minimize carbon footprints, contributing to a greener future for India.
The S&L Program, one of BEE’s most prestigious initiatives, is designed to provide consumers with informed choices about the energy and cost-saving potential of 5-star labeled electrical appliances and equipment available in the Indian market. As of January 2024, the S&L program covers 35 appliances, with 16 under mandatory regulation and 19 under voluntary regulation. This program, considered one of the best energy efficiency programs globally, resulted in electricity savings of 81.64 billion units and reduced CO2 emissions by 58 million tonnes in FY 2022-2023, translating to energy savings worth Rs 54,323 crores.
BEE is urging all State Designated Agencies (SDAs) in Southern States and proactive states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu/ UTs to adopt stringent measures to promote the Star Labelling Program. This initiative aims to empower consumers and drive significant electricity savings, pushing India toward a greener future.
While explaining the impact of the said MOU Milind Deora, Secretary, Directors Kamran Shaik, Smt. P Samal and Abhishek Sharma said that all states/ State designated agencies in the country will a get tremendous benefits of this MOU for Capacity building Market surveillance for strictly monitoring Star labelled electrical appliances mechanism as per Energy conservation Act to benefit the consumers.
BEE is also encouraging consumers to choose star-rated appliances by highlighting their financial and environmental benefits.
In its push for enhanced energy efficiency across Southern India, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is calling on SDAs to intensify their efforts in promoting star-labeled appliances through a comprehensive awareness campaign under the Standards and Labelling (S&L) Program for electronic appliances.
This effort aims to empower electricity consumers and encourage widespread adoption of energy-efficient appliances such as washing machines, air conditioners, electric cookers, and fans Etc. BEE is implementing a multi-faceted approach that includes equipping State Designated Agencies (SDAs) with robust tools for market surveillance to ensure the integrity of labeled products, boost consumer confidence, and strengthen the implementation of the Star Labelling Program.
To achieve this objective Secretary, BEE suggested Concerned Southern States / SDA’s to primarily focus on major cities and towns such as Hyderabad, Warangal, Sanga Reddy, Khammam & Mahabubnagar in Telangana. Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Kurnool in AP. Bengaluru, Mysore & Hubli in Karnataka. Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi & Kozhikode in Kerala. Chennai, Coimbatore & Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Puducherry. And Semi Urban areas by involving the Stakeholders.
This latest collaboration between NTH and BEE marks a major step in India’s ongoing efforts to promote energy efficiency, protect consumer interests, and work toward a sustainable and energy-efficient future.
