The Department of Energy (DOE) has expanded the coverage of the Philippine Energy Labeling Program (PELP) in a bid to “further promote the energy consumers’ welfare.”
Energy Consuming Products (ECPs) used for cleaning and laundry, cooking and food processing, cooling, heating and ventilating, grooming and personal care, information and communication technology (ICT) equipment, and lighting are now covered by the PELP.
The PELP provides for a mandatory national labeling system for ECPs based on the energy performance of 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.
Labeling of ECPs initially covers air conditioners, refrigerating appliances, television sets, and lighting products such as self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), linear fluorescent lamps (LFL), or double-capped fluorescent lamps (DFL), single-capped fluorescent lamps (SFL), lamp ballasts and light emitting diode (LED) 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 Lotilla said.
Under DOE Circular No. 2022-11-0035, all importers, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and retailers of ECPs with or without a prescribed Minimum Energy Performance Products (MEPP) requirement are now required to bear the energy label that specifies the energy efficiency rating of the product model.
MEPP is a minimum energy performance set by the DOE for specific energy-consuming products. The star ratings on the energy label correspond to the product’s energy performance. The lower limit of the one-star efficiency range corresponds to the prescribed MEPP. The higher the energy performance, the greater number of stars, which indicates that the product is more efficient.
Non-compliance, removal, defacing, or altering of the energy label will be subjected to fines, penalties, and criminal liability as provided under Sections 32 and 33 of Republic Act 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA).
These include the imposition of fines ranging from P100,000 for the first offense to as much as P1 million for the third offense.