Introduction:

The global pollution index is increasing every year and so does the increase in the use of carbon fuels to meet our daily requirements. The need for time is to look for renewal sources of clean energy and to decrease our daily consumption of electricity by using smart appliances and the ones having less power consumption. 

Various awareness programs and acts have been established to make sure that such appliances are promoted in the market. 

In India, Bureau of Energy Efficiency is the regulatory body which ensures that energy efficient practices are followed in the nation.

In May 2006 Bureau of Energy Efficiency started star labeling scheme was introduced to benefit the end consumers of electrical appliances. Under the scheme the manufacturer has to mandatorily mention the level of energy efficiency of its product on the label in the form of star ratings from 1 to 5.

More number of star rating on the product, more energy efficient it is. Less number of stars on the product, less energy efficient it is.

Also, the label provides a complete informational chart of what is the energy efficiency ratio of that particular appliance along with the number of units consumed in one year.

This helps the customer to choose correctly between a vast varieties of products. However, the high energy efficient appliances are costlier then the low energy efficient appliances but they are way more cost efficient in long run as compared to cheap and low energy efficient appliance. 

What is Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Registration

The Government of India set up Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). on 1st March 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles, within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 with the primary objective of reducing energy intensity of the Indian economy. 

Role of BEE & Star Labeling Scheme

BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations and recognizes, identify and utilizes the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act. The Energy Conservation Act provides for regulatory and promotional functions.

In May 2006, Hon’ble Minister of Power launched star labeling program to make electrical appliances more energy efficient. Under the province of this scheme, total 26 products are covered. From which 10 are covered under mandatory scheme and 16 under voluntary scheme.

Products covered under Mandatory Scheme

• Room Air Conditioners
• Frost Free Refrigerators
• Tubular Florescent Lamp
• Distribution Transformer
• Room Air Conditioner (Cassettes, Floor Standing)
• Direct Cool Refrigerator
• Color TV
• Electric Geysers
• Variable Capacity Inverter Air conditioners
• LED Lamps

Products covered under Voluntary Scheme

• Induction Motors
• Pump Sets
• Ceiling Fans
• LPG –Stoves
• Washing Machine
• Computer (Notebooks/Laptops)
• Ballast (Electronic/ Magnetic)
• Office equipment's (Printer, Copier, Scanner, MFD's)
• Diesel Engine Driven Mono-set Pumps
• Solid State Inverter
• DG Sets
• Chillers
• Microwave Oven
• Solar Water Heater
• Light Commercial Air Conditioner
• Deep freezers

BEE Registration Process

BEE Registration process is divided in three parts

Company Registration: The applicant (Manufacturer/Trader/Importer) first needs to create a login portal on the BEE star labeling website to get the models registered. The registration fees for a large-scale industry is 1 Lakh rupees and 25,000 rupees for MSME. However, this company registration fees is refundable.

Testing: The applicant willing to register its product under BEE star labeling program must get its product tested as per the relevant IS standard from either NABL accredited or ILAC MRA signatory labs only.

Model Registration: Post approval of company registration and testing, the applicant can register the model under his account on BEE star labeling website. The applicant needs to pay a fee of INR 1000 for each product which he wants to register.

Validity for BEE Registration

The validity of BEE registration depends upon the current labeling period of that particular product category. For example, the current labeling period for Variable Air Conditioner is 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2023, before expiry of the labeling period the applicant must either renew its registered model under new labeling period or degrade.

Sample Label and labeling period

Energy efficiency labels are mandatory labels affixed to a registered product, describing its energy efficiency and consumption. A star rating, ranging from 1 to 5 in the ascending order of energy efficiency is provided to the permittee and products registered with the Bureau.  

A label period is a duration prescribed by BEE for which the star rating of a product is valid. When the label period for a particular product is revised by the department, the star rating calculation table and energy performance criteria for the product also upgraded. 

The label displays the following information regarding the appliance,

• Star rating of the product
• Energy Efficiency ratio
• Appliance type
• Brand of the appliance
• Model name and year
• Appliance technical details

These details help the end consumer to differentiate and choose the right one as per the requirement. Also, it guides you about how much the appliance is energy efficient.