Programme that requires labels for refrigerators and freezers, washing machines and clothes dryers, and is being phased in for other appliances. Worldwide, more than 30 products are covered by one or more labelling programme, including the major energy-using appliances, such as refrigerators, furnaces, clothes washers and dryers, and ovens. Labelling programmes may be mandatory or voluntary and comparison or endorsement in type. Comparison labels describe the performance of a product with others in the same class. Endorsement labels identify a product that meets a high efficiency standard.
Most programmes use comparison labels, are mandatory, and are operated by government agencies.
Only the United States, Canada, and the European Union also have programmes with endorsement labels, which may be operated by government agencies or NGOs. The labels, which identify the energy performance of windows, doors and skylights, help consumers select high performance products in an area of rapid technology change. Manufacturers pay a fee to have their products tested in NFRC-accredited laboratories. Since 1993, the NFRC has certified and labelled 12,000 products made by more than 160 manufacturers. The record of labelling programmes is mixed.