The emphasis in the current policy setting is on greenhouse gas reduction and assisting households to transition to a low-carbon future. Energy efficiency measures are a key element of the Government’s approach, in addition to an emissions trading scheme and the renewable energy target. The Energy labelling and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) under the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) program seek to address problems relating to lack of information on the energy performance of appliances and equipment and incentives that may result in poor energy efficiency choices.
In Australia, the MEPS and labelling program is operated on a national basis through cooperative action by State and Territory Governments. This approach recognises that the appliance and equipment market in Australia is a single unified market, with firms manufacturing and distributing products nationally.