Management of the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Program is the responsibility of the E3 Committee.  This committee consist of officials from the Commonwealth, State and Territory government agencies as well as representatives of the New Zealand Government. In New Zealand this program is known as the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy.

The E3 Committee reports to the Energy Efficiency Working Group and is ultimately directed by the Ministerial Council on Energy (the Energy Ministers from all jurisdictions). The E3 Committee is responsible for advising the Ministerial Council on Energy on energy efficiency implementation measures for electrical and gas equipment and appliances. The Ministerial Council on Energy has given the E3 Committee a mandate to assess any energy using product for possible regulation, subject to community consultation and the completion of a regulation impact assessment.

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency provides support for the E3 Committee’s activities. A DCCEE Officer is the chair of the E3 Committee.

E3 Committee member organisations are:

• Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
• Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
• NSW Department of Water and Energy
• Energy Safe Victoria
• Sustainability Victoria
• Electrical Safety Office, QLD Department of Justice and Attorney-General
• Office of Clean Energy, QLD Department of Environment and Resource Management
• Energy Safety, WA Department of Commerce
• WA Office of Energy
• Office of the Technical Regulator, SA Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure
• ACT Planning and Land Authority
• Office of Energy, Planning and Conservation, TAS Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
• NT Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources
• NT Worksafe
• New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority

E3 Committee Charter

The charter of the E3 Committee encompasses the following functions:

• Provide assistance to all States and Territories, as required, in the development and regulatory implementation of technical, legal, and administrative aspects of equipment energy efficiency initiatives.
• Coordinate the national development and implementation of energy efficiency programs of a non-regulatory nature and enhance existing regulator programs. These may include voluntary labelling initiatives, market transformation projects, and similar voluntary actions.
• Coordinate national marketing and communication projects to support new, and enhance existing, energy efficiency programs.
• Review existing appliance energy consumption and improve standards and test procedures.
• Monitor program performance and achievements.
• Provide a forum to exchange information on enforcement/compliance issues and community information and marketing initiatives.
• Administer an effective, coordinated testing regime of the energy efficiency claims of suppliers.
• Coordinate broad consultative processes with industry and other interested parties in the development and implementation of energy labelling and associated programs.

This charter recognises the maturity of the program and the need for a “holistic” approach to government policies for greenhouse gas abatement in the appliance and equipment field. The focus of the program continues to be the delivery of nationally consistent regulation. The implementation of most voluntary programs remains an individual jurisdictional responsibility although voluntary programs that assist the regulatory program to maximise benefits are being added to E3 Committee work plans.