The Airconditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association of Australia (AREMA) has announced its support for a new national framework to set common standards and energy efficiency ratings on appliances, machinery and other materials.
The framework, to be introduced on October 1, 2012, also has the support of the Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association (CESA) and the Australian Industry Group (AIG).
Legislation for the new framework which was jointly developed with New Zealand and Australian states and territories, was passed in federal parliament yesterday.
The Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) legislation is expected to cut red tape for manufacturers and is expected to secure energy savings exceeding $5.2 billion in Australian homes and businesses in 2020 alone.
The GEMS legislation will deliver consistent information and energy standards to consumers by combining all state and territory regulations into one framework, overseen by a single national regulator.
The same standards will be adopted in New Zealand.
Parliamentary secretary for climate change and energy efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, said Australians are already familiar with the popular red and yellow star-rating labels that provide energy saving information on household appliances.
“GEMS will provide a more comprehensive program covering gas, electricity and other types of energy, as well creating a legal basis to potentially cover products that can reduce energy consumption such as glazing for windows and insulation. GEMS also ensures the worst performing appliances can’t be sold in Australia,” he said.
The new system cuts red tape for manufacturers like Electrolux which makes fridges for Australia and New Zealand at its factory in Orange NSW, while households and other businesses will also benefit.
“Increasingly consumers will be able to make a much more informed choices from a range of appliances that are becoming more energy efficient every year, including televsions, fridges, lighting and washing machines,” said Mr Dreyfus.
“Switching from a 1-star to an 8-star television, for example, can save up to $160 a year on energy bills.
“With better information, businesses upgrading to more energy efficient equipment and machinery will save many thousands of dollars on energy bills and improve productivity,” said Mr Dreyfus.
“Energy saving improvements will help dramatically cut Australia’s carbon pollution by 2020 and help meet the target of a fiver per cent reduction under the Federal Government’s Clean Energy Future plan to tackle climate change. It makes economic and environmental sense.”
