Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) programs are mandatory in Australia and New Zealand.  To date MEPS have been enforced by state government legislation and regulations in Australia and national regulations in New Zealand applicable to the relevant Australian or Australia/New Zealand Standards. Regulations specify the general requirements for MEPS for appliances, including offences and penalties if a party does not comply with the requirements. Technical requirements for MEPS are set out in the relevant appliance standard, which is referenced in state and New Zealand regulations. For Australia, state based legislation is necessary because the Australian constitution gives Australian states clear responsibility for resource management issues, including energy.

It is proposed that from 1 October 2012 MEPS will be enforced through national GEMS legislation and regulations. Appliance standards will be referenced in determinations, which will outline requirements for suppliers.  New Zealand regulations will remain unchanged.

It is mandatory for the following products manufactured in or imported into Australia to meet the MEPS levels specified in the relevant Australian Standards:

• Refrigerators and Freezers (from 1 October 1999, revision 1 January 2005)
• Mains Pressure Electric Storage Water Heaters (from 1 October 1999)
• Small mains pressure electric storage water heaters (<80L) and low pressure and heat exchanger types (from 1 October 2005) (Refer to correspondence regarding levels and test methods)
• Three Phase Electric Motors (0.73kW to <185kW) (from 1 October 2001, revision April 2006)
• Single Phase Air Conditioners (from 1 October 2004, revision 1 October 2011)
• Three Phase Air Conditioners up to 65kW cooling capacity (from 1 October 2001, revision 1 October 2011)
• Ballasts for Linear Fluorescent Lamps (from 1 March 2003). Note that in addition to MEPS, ballasts also have to be marked with an energy efficiency index (EEI).
• Linear Fluorescent Lamps from 550mm to 1500mm inclusive with a nominal lamp power >16W (from 1 October 2004)
• Distribution Transformers 11kV and 22kV with a rating from 10kA to 2.5MVA (from 1 October 2004)
• Commercial Refrigeration (self contained and remote systems) from 1 October 2004
• Incandescent Lamps from November 2009
• Compact Fluorescent Lamps from November 2009
• External Power Supplies from 1 December 2008
• Set Top Boxes from 1 December 2008
• Televisions (from 1 October 2009)
• Commercial Building Chillers from July 2009
• Close Control Air Conditioners from July 2009
• Transformers and Electronic Step-down Converters for ELV Lamps proposed for October 2010

In New Zealand MEPS apply to refrigerators and freezers, commercial building chillers, electric storage water heaters, external power supplies, three phase electric motors, set top boxes, single and three phase air conditioners, close control air conditioners, linear fluorescent lamps and ballasts, distribution transformers, and commercial refrigeration (refrigerated display cabinets), and will apply to compact fluorescent lamps and televisions from 1 October 2012.

MEPS are proposed for introduction for computers and monitors, and gas water heaters.

Mandatory Energy Labelling requirements apply to clothes washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, clothes dryers and some air conditioners, and will apply to televisions from 1 October 2012.

Incandescent lamps and extra low voltage (ELV) converters are not covered by MEPS in New Zealand.