Home Appliance Energy Label Campaigns in Progress

Campaigns to promote energy-efficient household appliances in order to encourage consumers to save energy at home are being implemented around Japan. Recent home energy consumption levels have risen significantly, causing increased emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a main cause of global warming.

A non-profit organization (NPO), Network Greenconsumer Kagawa, was responsible for starting the energy label movement when it mounted a two-month campaign in 2004 in Shikoku, smallest of Japan's four main islands. During the campaign, participating stores attached energy guide labels on air conditioners and refrigerators (which account for 40 percent of home energy consumption) that showed estimated electricity costs over the average appliance life span of 10 years as well as the sales price. The labels also rated these appliances as AAA, AA, A, B, or C grade, according to their energy efficiency. The purpose was to provide necessary information to consumers and raise their awareness about energy conservation.

Similar campaigns were also conducted in 12 other prefectures and cities, and are expected to expand all over Japan. Kyoto City has passed an ordinance that makes energy efficiency labeling on home electric appliances obligatory. Similar legislation will come into force in Tokyo Metropolis this summer (2005), and is being considered in Kyoto prefecture, Nagano prefecture and Shizuoka prefecture.



Posted: 2005/07/21 06:58:55 AM
Japanese version