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‘India needs to tighten standards of product labelling’

What are the major challenges faced by Energy Efficiency team today  which must be overcome?
One of our major challenges has been to address the consumers about the advantages and utilisation of product with maximum efficiency and least energy consumption. Secondly, we also face issues in educating the manufacturers and setting a benchmark for standards of products with maximum efficiency. We also need to educate MCD about energy conservation building quote and make them aware of turning the entire industry energy conservation drive which unfortunately has a long way to go.

What is your future plan related to the products that could maximise energy efficiency?

We need to tighten the standards of labelling our products in a more attractive manner. This would involve reshuffling of labelling of electronic products, mainly AC from 3 stars to 5 star or from 2 star to 5 star labels. Labelling in ACs has increased efficiency and energy saving up to 20-30 per cent. Within this year end, we aim to make our labelling of products more successful. This is for the simple reason that people in our country are not only price sensitive but also seek value for money which is a common attitude of society across the globe.

Also, we plan to conduct surveys every two years on one to one basis to understand consumer behaviour and their satisfaction level for products they invest money in. This survey helps in delivering customised products with accurate requirements needed. In addition, we have eight more products in mind including tube lights, transformers, geysers, colored television where the energy consumption concept would be introduced soon. In total, 14 more products will be included in our labelling process other than the LPG and Diesel based products are to be introduced.

What are the immediate action plan and goals worked upon?
Well, we are working on creating ceiling fans that would only consume 30-35 watts of energy compared to 50-70 watts being used earlier. For this we would like to educate our manufacturers and also provide incentives for their performance which would fluctuate in the preceding years based solely on efficiency.  Basically, we are working on all products wherever energy costs are high along with their usage. In commercial buildings that are new, we aim to minimise energy cost as compared to buildings built 10 years ago to turn the energy consumption process into a trend setter one.

What are the latest scientific developments conducted by the BEE?
We are pushing and creating for inverter based ACs (air conditioners) as they are more efficient than standard ACs. Also, we award ‘Energy Conservation’ rewards to the deserving manufacturers in the market every year. These rewards are important for two main reasons. Firstly, they provide recognition and act as a motivator and secondly it also acts as a stamp for attention and admiration thereby generating healthy competitions amongst manufactures.

How do you aim to bridge the gap between the manufacturers and consumers?
We are striving towards bridging the gap between the two through effective labelling that will help consumers decide upon buying the products eventually. Then, we plan to set minimum standards of efficiency for the manufacturers for which they can keep working on throughout. Enhancing the credibility towards technology is what we hope to bridge the gap as it affects the user’s perception.

What message would you like to give to young manufacturers and the consumers present in the market today?
I would like to emphasise on the end to purchase efficient products deepening upon their usage and need. In addition, manufacturers also decide upon accurate and precise labelling on products which has a direct relation with graph of product’s demand. Not only should the new-age manufacturers move towards new avenues of technology but also share experience of the past mistakes and keep moving on irrespective of any glitches and setbacks.
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