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Suppliers and retailers of clothes dryers, clothes washing machines, dishwashers and incandescent lamps must comply with new Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) determinations that commenced on 4 October 2025.

The new determinations introduce new energy efficiency requirements, updated testing and labelling requirements and reflects new Australian and New Zealand standards.

From 4 October 2025, you must register new or expired registration models to the 2024 determinations.

Clothes dryers, clothes washing machines and dishwashers

Existing registrations have been updated in the Energy Rating Registration system to be registered against the 2024 determination. Registrants don’t need to do anything, and your registration will continue until it expires.

Use of sodium percarbonate - clothes washing machines

With the GEMS Regulator’s declaration now in effect, suppliers are permitted to use sodium percarbonate as an alternative to sodium perborate tetrahydrate when testing clothes washing machines in accordance with the determination. The declaration makes it easier to comply with GEMS requirements by allowing the use of detergents containing a less hazardous bleaching agent. It also responds to international concerns about sodium perborate tetrahydrate—now banned in some overseas jurisdictions—and ensures alignment with international standards and the preferences of accredited testing facilities. 

Labelling – upgrading existing registrations

A manual update feature has been added to the Energy Rating Registration system to support transitional labelling for clothes dryers, clothes washing machines and dishwashers under the new determinations. The upgrade feature allows thos who registered a model under the old determination to create a new application under the 2024 determination at no additional cost, for the remaining period of the model's registration. Registrants can provide a test report to the new standard (if required) and the additional information required in the 2024 determination, so the new label can be generated. The existing registration will also be maintained.

Once a registration is upgraded, either the new or the old label could be displayed on the model. Only one label should be displayed on any one product.

If a model is selected for check testing, the laboratory will test the product to the standards quoted on the energy rating label affixed to the purchased product. Market surveillance will continue to check that the label on the product matches the registration, and that the product is correctly registered.

Incandescent lamps

Existing registrations that were not affected by the new determination have been updated in the Energy Rating Registration system to be registered against the 2024 determination. Registrants don’t need to do anything, and your registration will retain its remaining period of registration.

Some incandescent lamps models registered under the old 2016 determination have had their registration cancelled on 4 October 2025 because they did not meet the requirements of the 2024 determination. Existing stock located in Australia may still be sold until exhausted or until 4 October 2030. Any non-compliant models must cease supply or offer to supply, after this time.

Compliance monitoring activities are undertaken to ensure registered products meet energy efficiency requirements and check that they are correctly registered and labelled. Appropriate action will be taken in response to non-compliance.

For support:

• see Transitioning to a determination for additional information
• Register or login to lodge or vary an application.
• need more contact us.