Newsletter
IMPACT OF ENERGY STAR PROGRAM ON TAIWAN IT MAK-ERS
In order to reduce the volume of carbon dioxide emitted by the burning of fossil fuels for elec-tricity generation and global warming due to the greenhouse effect, in 1992 the US Environ-mental Protection Agency and the US Depart-ment of Energy joined with the private sector to promote products with the Energy Star logo. This voluntary collaborative program seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy-efficient products and changing public consumption patterns. The program currently covers products in the areas of information technology, domestic appliances, lighting, elec-tric motors, telephone equipment, and office equipment. Participating countries and regions include Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union. A plan to introduce the Energy Star labeling program to Taiwan was instituted in 1999 under a US-Taiwan agreement on technical cooperation in environmental pro-tection. The plan emphasizes promoting the use of the Energy Star logo on office automation equipment and related products, including computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, scanners and multifunctional de-vices.
The Energy Star labeling program is voluntary. Firms wishing to participate must submit product test reports, information on their manufacturing facilities, and corporate information to the im-plementing agency, and on approval they sign an agreement and are also registered with the En-ergy Star program in the US. As well as effec-tively reducing energy use, Energy Star benefits manufacturers by making it easier to export their products, raising their competitiveness and im-proving their image.
The US EPA now plans to introduce a new specification for energy-efficient products that is stricter than the old specification. Most cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors currently on the market do not meet the new specification. The new specification will take effect in the near future, with material impact on CRT monitor manufac-turers, who will need to respond in a timely way.