Energy Efficiency Movement
Guidelines and Standards

Guidelines

The Carbon Disclosure Project, Science-Based Targets, and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol frameworks provide essential guidance to align your goals with global sustainability standards.

GHG

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol

A globally recognized standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It provides clarity on how organizations can measure and report their emissions, supporting sustainability efforts. GHG Protocol develops guidance to address specific sectors’ unique challenges.

ghgprotocol.org

SBT

Science Based Targets

An initiative that empowers companies to set ambitious, science-based emissions reduction targets. These targets provide a clearly defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, aligning with climate science. It defines and promotes best practices in science-based target setting and offers resources, guidance, and independent assessment of companies’ targets based on strict criteria.

sciencebasedtargets.org

CDP

Carbon Disclosure Project

A not-for-profit charity that operates the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions. Their mission is to focus on building a sustainable economy by measuring and acting on environmental impact.

cdp.net

Standards

Energy efficiency standards are government regulations that set minimum performance requirements for energy-consuming products to reduce overall energy consumption. These standards push manufacturers to design more sustainable technologies that use less energy and help lower greenhouse gas emissions. Discover below the main standards in use, globally.

IEC Technical Committees

International

  • Issuing Organization: International Electrotechnical Commission​
  • Scope: technical standards for electrical and electronic devices and systems​
  • Specificity: Multiple IEC Technical Committees publish international standards which help to optimize the energy efficiency of all things electric and electronic.​
  • Application: Global, applicable to manufacturers and installers​

Key Features:​

  • allow to build, compare and verify the performance of devices and systems​
  • Focus on consistency and repetitiveness​
  • Developed 10,000+ standards for products covering applications such as rotating machinery, Turbines, industrial electro heating and electromagnetic processing, Switching devices, Power transformers etc.

iec.ch

ISO

International

  • Issuing Organization: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)​
  • Scope: Energy Management Systems for organizations​
  • Specificity: Provides a framework for implementing energy management practices​
  • Application: Global, applicable to businesses, governments, and institutions of all sizes​

Key Features:​

  • Helps organizations develop a systematic approach to energy efficiency​
  • Focuses on continuous improvement of energy performance​
  • Applicable across industries from manufacturing to service sectors

iso.org

EU Energy Label

European Union

  • Issuing Organization: European Commission​
  • Scope: Household appliances, electronic products, Industrial machinery and tyres​
  • Specificity: Uses a color-coded scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient)​
  • Application: Mandatory for many product categories sold in EU countries​

Key Features:​

  • Standardized labeling across all EU member states​
  • Helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions​
  • Covers products like refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, and light bulbs

europa.eu

ENERGY STAR

United States

  • Issuing Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)​
  • Scope: Broad range of consumer and commercial products including appliances, electronics, buildings, and industrial plants​
  • Specificity: Provides energy performance ratings and certification for products that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines​
  • Application: Primarily used in North America, but recognized internationally​

Key Features:​

  • Identifies top 25% most energy-efficient products in specific categories​
  • Strict performance requirements verified by 3rd party to earn ENERGY STAR label ​
  • Provides easy-to-understand labels for consumers​
  • Covers over 75 product categories

energystar.gov