THE Department of Energy (DoE) said its energy-consumption labeling rules have been expanded to cover a range of laundry, kitchen, and cooling appliances.
The full list of appliances subject to the labeling rules includes cleaning and laundry, cooking and food processing, cooling, heating and ventilating, grooming and personal care, information and communications technology (ICT) equipment, and lighting devices, the DoE said in a statement on Thursday.
The Philippine Energy Labeling Program (PELP) requires that energy-consuming products (ECPs) disclose energy efficiency ratings.
The DoE said the initial coverage of the PELP was air conditioners, refrigerating appliances, television sets, and lighting products such as self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps, linear fluorescent lamps, or double-capped fluorescent lamps, single-capped fluorescent lamps, lamp ballasts and light emitting diode lamps.
“With conservation and efficient utilization of energy among the major strategies of the government to realize energy self-sufficiency and reduce environmental impacts of energy generation and utilization, we are now expanding the coverage,” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said in a statement.
According to the DoE, PELP outlines product requirements and codes of practice for manufacturers and sellers with the aim of steering consumers to energy-efficient products.
“It aims to transform the market and encourage the shift in consumer behavior towards using energy-efficient products and technologies by empowering them through the information displayed on the labels at points of sale,” the DoE said.
In a circular signed by Mr. Lotilla on Nov. 21, 2022, all importers, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and retailers of ECPs with or without designated minimum energy performance products are now required to include energy labels specifying energy efficiency ratings.
The DoE warned that non-compliance with the labeling rules or removal, defacing, or altering the energy label will be subject to fines, penalties and criminal liability under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, which prescribe fines starting at P100,000 for a first offense, escalating to P1 million for a third offense. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
