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MEPS − Televisions
11
Recommended Policy Options for New Zealand
11.1
General Policy Recommendations
Energy consumption of TVs in New Zealand is estimated to be 320 GWh, or around 5% of
total household use. This is approximately 40% of the annual increase in energy required by
New Zealand each year. The countries of origin for the TVs we import are implementing either
mandatory or voluntary policies to improve the efficiency of this growing form of energy
consumption.
In particular Australia originally aimed to introduce a combined MEPS/labelling scheme by
2006. However recent stakeholder feedback in Australia opposed mandatory labelling, and it is
unlikely to proceed, although voluntary labelling and MEPS will still go ahead.
It would be advisable to keep our alignment with Australia, and it is recommended that New
Zealand introduce a similar scheme to whatever is finally agreed to in Australia. MEPS and
comparative labelling is still a viable option with only voluntary labelling. It will be necessary
to rely on the competitive nature of the market to exclude products that don't comply with
MEPS.
11.2
MEPS
A MEPS for televisions in New Zealand should be implemented in tandem with Australia.
Consultation with the importers and major retailers will be necessary to ensure that there is no
undue resistance to the scheme, to maximise compliance and adherence to the principles of the
scheme.
The MEPS should cover both on-mode and standby energy consumption. The setting of MEPS
levels should be designed initially, as in Australia to encourage the removal of the 30% of
worst performing TVs from the marketplace, and to match the best practice levels of our
product source countries. The correlation between energy efficiency indices for TVs and any
labelling scheme needs to be decided on in consultation with Australia.
The Australians already have an Australian Standards Committee TE 1 which may act as the
vehicle to implement the MEPS scheme. New Zealand would have to investigate
representation and integration of its policies with the work of that committee.
11.3
Labelling Scheme
The comparative labelling scheme proposed by Australia would follow the six-star energy
rating system based on the EU model. The purpose of such a label is to allow the consumer to
compare a TV within a particular technology (e.g. widescreen, SDTV, HDTV) and screen type
(e.g. CRT, LCD, plasma). Alternatively labels could be developed that merely compared all
technologies/screen types although this would be less useful. Considerable work is needed to
identify reference TV values, and levels of energy use for various star ratings.
It is not recommended that New Zealand do other than monitor this work, together with
Australia.
A study produced for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority by
Page 26
Wise Analysis Ltd
April 2005
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