Products under review

Determinations under development and review

• Digital Displays: televisions, computer monitors, and digital signage displays

  On 19 July 2024, the Energy and Climate Ministerial Council accepted the RIS recommendations to:

  • increase the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) applying to televisions and computer monitors, and extend energy efficiency requirements to digital signage displays
  • change the energy efficiency labelling of televisions and computer monitors.

  The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is preparing a new GEMS determination covering the supply of this equipment in Australia. The determination as an exposure draft will be released for public comment and submissions later this year.

  List of related documents:

  • DRIS (publishing soon)
  • Energy Ministers agree to new energy efficiency requirements for digital displays
  • Consultation Regulation Impact Statement – Televisions, Computer Monitors and Digital Signage Displays
  • Equipment Energy Efficiency Program: televisions, computer monitors and digital signage issues paper

• Distribution transformers

  Distribution transformers are used in electricity distribution systems to step down power to the voltage required by the end user, typically consumers, and have been regulated since 2012. Distribution transformers are categorised based on factors such as location, insulation type, number of phases and voltage classes.

  Decision regulatory impact statement

  The policy recommendations in the consultation RIS will be reviewed before drafting a RIS for decision. It is expected that the RIS for decision will be prepared for submission to the Commonwealth, State, Territory, and New Zealand Energy Ministers in the second half of 2025.

  Consultation regulatory impact statement

  For the consultation RIS, a 15 week consultation process was conducted between 14 October 2024 – 31 January 2025 to seek comments on options to expand the scope of regulations and raising the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), which are governed under the Greenhouse Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012. Activities included:

  • public information sessions were held in mid-November 2024, including a joint session for Australia and New Zealand on 12 November, which focused on the technical aspects of the consultation RIS
  • policy forums were also held in both countries for government agencies and Electricity Distribution Service Network Providers to discuss policy implications of the proposed MEPS.

  Submissions from manufacturers and suppliers indicated that there may be more significant industry consequences and concerns than were assumed in the consultation RIS.

  Detailed costings and other data have been provided by manufacturers and will be incorporated into revised cost benefit modelling.

  List of related documents:

  1. Consultation on a regulation impact statement on the energy efficiency of external power supplies - Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.
     • The consultation period closed with a total of 18 submissions received, including 10 from Australia and 8 from New Zealand
     • Only written submissions from Australia will be made publicly available on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s website
     • Concerns around the cost and accessibility of materials required to manufacture distribution transformers with an improved energy efficiency were raised. Along with requests to review assumptions in the CRIS including considering how transformers are installed and tested in the field.

• External power supplies 

  External power supplies connect an electrical device (such as a phone, laptop, or tablet) to a power point to charge the device and have has been regulated since 2012. They are also known as AC power adapters. They are often sold with the device that they’re intended to charge. As such, consumers may be unable to choose the type of external power supply they are purchasing with a device.

  A 6 week consultation process was conducted in the first half of 2025 to seek comments on options to improve the energy efficiency of external power supplies being sold or supplied in Australia or New Zealand for use with electrical devices. This includes:

  • aligning the regulation with international standards
  • expanding the scope of products covered.

  List of related documents:

  • Consultation on a regulation impact statement on the energy efficiency of external power supplies - Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water

• Heat pump water heaters

  The sale of Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) has significantly increased in the last few years as consumers move towards more efficient water heating technology. A range of government incentive schemes has also boosted sales and motivated the market. HPWH are not yet regulated under the Greenhouse Energy and Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act 2012.

  On 19 July 2024, the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (ECMC) agreed to fast-track the implementation of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for HPWH to support the growing demand for this technology. Visit ECMC Meeting Communique, 19 July 2024, for more details.

  The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is developing a consultation RIS to assess the impacts, costs, and benefits of options to improve HPWH energy efficiency. These options will focus on the HPWH residential market.

  The Department has also undertaken laboratory testing of different HPWH. The results are being used to develop a suitable test method in collaboration with the water heater industry. This test method will be included in the consultation RIS.

  Once the consultation RIS is drafted, we will conduct a public consultation to seek feedback. We will hold information sessions about the consultation RIS, options and recommendations to obtain feedback and we’ll follow up with further sessions to help stakeholders navigate and understand the process. The consultation RIS and consultation process will assist in shaping the development of future policy options for the regulation of HPWH.

• Liquid chilling packages (chillers)

  On 6 December 2024, Energy and Climate Change Ministers accepted the RIS recommendations to:

  • increase the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) that apply to liquid chilling packages used for heating and cooling of large buildings in Australia and New Zealand 
  • to expand the scope of MEPS to include chillers with a capacity of 100 kilowatts or more.

  The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is preparing a new GEMS determination covering the supply of this equipment in Australia. The determination as an exposure draft will be released for public comment and submissions later this year.

  List of related documents:

  • DRIS (publishing soon)

• Three phase electric motors 

  Three phase electric motors are used in a wide range of applications in the industrial and commercial sectors, often as pumps, compressors and conveyor belts and have has been regulated since 2012.

  In 2024 we began a review of this product which has seen the completion of a 6 week consultation process to seek options to improve the energy efficiency of three phase electric motors being sold or supplied in Australia and New Zealand. This includes:

  • increasing minimum energy performance standards (MEPS)
  • increasing the scope to regulate larger and smaller three phase electric motors
  • changing the registration requirements including the family of models definition
  • introducing new labelling requirements including information disclosure requirements on product information sheets and registration number display requirements.

  List of related documents:

  • E3 Three Phase Cage Induction Motors Consultation Regulation Impact Statement - Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water