Energy Star: the US voluntary energy-efficiency program
Guide · Energy Star, United States
Energy Star is the US voluntary energy-efficiency program, co-administered since 1996 by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the DOE (Department of Energy). Launched by the EPA in 1992 for computers and office equipment under the Clean Air Act, it has since been extended to roughly seventy-five product categories (active electronics, white goods, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning) as well as separate buildings and industrial strands. The mark remains voluntary as a matter of law, but its diffusion (recognition of the Energy Star logo is estimated by EPA surveys at about ninety per cent of the US public) and its embedding in federal procurement and utility rebate programs make it a de facto condition for accessing a significant share of the market. This page sets out the EPA and DOE governance, the structure of versioned specifications (V8.0 for computers, V9.0 for displays, V3.2 for imaging equipment), the certification path through laboratory and Certification Body, the central products database, the Most Efficient tier, the comparison with the EU energy label and the most common pitfalls in US scoping.
Governance: EPA, DOE and program scope
Section titled “Governance: EPA, DOE and program scope”Before going into the certification mechanics, it helps to set the institutional map, which differs from other US federal programs.
EPA and DOE, a division of labour since 1996
Section titled “EPA and DOE, a division of labour since 1996”The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is the US federal environmental agency, established in 1970. Energy Star was launched by the EPA in 1992 for computers and printers, under the authority of section 103(g) of the Clean Air Act, which authorises the EPA to develop voluntary programs that reduce air pollutants through energy efficiency (fossil-fired power generation being the targeted source).
The DOE (Department of Energy) joined Energy Star in 1996 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the EPA, which divides product categories. The split runs broadly as follows:
- EPA: consumer electronics, non-DOE appliances, lighting, windows, insulation, commercial buildings, partner program.
- DOE: equipment subject to mandatory federal efficiency rules (10 CFR Part 430, Part 431) under EPCA (Energy Policy and Conservation Act, 1975), including front-load washers, dishwashers, water heaters, boilers, heat pumps, certain industrial motors and transformers.
The DOE also runs the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), which makes Energy Star operationally mandatory for federal procurement, under 42 USC section 8259b (Energy efficient product procurement) and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) section 23.206. Federal acquirers must purchase Energy Star products (or FEMP-designated where no Energy Star exists in the category), unless a written justification is filed.
Energy Star is not EPCA
Section titled “Energy Star is not EPCA”Energy Star must be distinguished from the federal energy efficiency rules issued under EPCA (Energy Policy and Conservation Act, 1975, as amended notably by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and EISA 2007). These rules, codified at 10 CFR Parts 429, 430 and 431, set mandatory minimum thresholds (Minimum Energy Performance Standards, MEPS) for enumerated categories: washers, water heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators, general service lamps, ballasts, certain transformers and motors. Any product placed on the US market in an EPCA category must meet that mandatory threshold and be certified to the DOE through the Compliance Certification Database.
Energy Star operates above these mandatory floors: the Energy Star specification for a category is typically pitched at the best quartile or decile of the market, above the EPCA floor, and remains a voluntary optional label. For a non-EPCA category (computers, set-top boxes), Energy Star is the only federal efficiency framework and is still voluntary.
Program stability and the 2017-2020 episode
Section titled “Program stability and the 2017-2020 episode”In 2017, Energy Star was proposed for defunding in the federal President's Budget Request FY2018, which sought to transfer the program to the private sector or to an industry-funded model. Congress maintained the EPA appropriation year after year. The program continued to operate without interruption, but with reduced visibility on some category extensions during the period. Funding was reaffirmed in the FY2021 and subsequent budgets. The legal framework (Clean Air Act, EPCA, EPA-DOE MOU) was not modified over the period.
Versioned specifications: Vx.0 by category
Section titled “Versioned specifications: Vx.0 by category”The technical core of the program is the set of Energy Star specifications published by category, identified by a major and minor version number (Vx.y). Each specification is published on energystar.gov under Product Specifications and carries an effective date past which the previous version is no longer recognised for new products.
Versioning logic
Section titled “Versioning logic”An Energy Star specification is created through a stakeholder process: the EPA (or the DOE for its categories) publishes a draft, gathers comments from industry, laboratories, NGOs and state authorities (notably the California Energy Commission, which often pushes stricter thresholds), then publishes the final Vx.0 version. Minor versions (V8.1, V8.2) make targeted adjustments; major versions (V8.0 to V9.0) significantly tighten thresholds or add new usage modes.
Each specification sets:
- Scope (definitions, products in and out of scope).
- Energy modes to be measured: active, idle, sleep, off (and category-specific modes such as Long Idle for computers).
- Maximum thresholds, generally expressed in kWh per year (TEC, Typical Energy Consumption) or watts per mode.
- Test methods referenced, often IEC or developed specifically by Energy Star.
- Functional requirements: default low-power modes, power management, network connectivity options such as Wake-on-LAN.
- Effective date and end-of-life date of the previous version (sunset date).
Reference electronics specifications
Section titled “Reference electronics specifications”| Category | Reference specification | Main methods |
|---|---|---|
| Computers | ENERGY STAR Computers Version 8.0 | TEC (kWh/year) by category I/II/III; Off, Sleep, Long Idle and Short Idle modes |
| Displays and monitors | ENERGY STAR Displays Version 9.0 | On-mode power (Pon); Sleep and Off modes; ABC (Automatic Brightness Control) bonus |
| Imaging equipment | ENERGY STAR Imaging Equipment Version 3.2 | TEC for Operational Mode (OM) and TEC for MFD; TEC OM by Format |
| Televisions | ENERGY STAR Televisions Version 9.0 | Capped Pon; On mode in HDR; Standby-Passive |
| Set-top boxes | ENERGY STAR Set-Top Boxes Version 5.1 | On and Sleep modes; voluntary Light Sleep |
| Small network equipment | ENERGY STAR Small Network Equipment Version 1.0 | Power per active port; Sleep modes |
| Large network equipment | ENERGY STAR Large Network Equipment Version 1.0 | Efficiency per throughput; Energy Efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az) |
| Telephony (VoIP, cordless) | ENERGY STAR Telephony Version 3.0 | Active, Idle, Sleep modes |
| Audio and video | ENERGY STAR Audio/Video Version 3.0 | On, Sleep, Off modes; Auto Power Down |
| Enterprise servers | ENERGY STAR Enterprise Servers Version 4.0 | SERT (Server Efficiency Rating Tool); PSU 80 PLUS classes |
| Data center storage | ENERGY STAR Data Center Storage Version 2.0 | Idle states; SNIA Emerald methodology |
The version numbers cited above correspond to the specification revisions in force at the time of writing of this page; they evolve through revision. The energystar.gov Product Specifications section should be consulted before any test planning, since an effective date may be crossed between scoping and certification.
Smart Home: the Connected tier
Section titled “Smart Home: the Connected tier”Several recent specifications include a Connected or Connected Functionality tier that qualifies a product on its networked energy-management features: remotely manageable eco-mode, response to a utility demand response signal, consumer-facing consumption reporting through a certified application. For computers, televisions, certain thermostats and certain white goods, this tier opens a marginally relaxed consumption threshold in exchange for expected smart-grid integration features. The tier is documented within the category specification and is not a stand-alone program.
Certification: laboratory and Certification Body
Section titled “Certification: laboratory and Certification Body”Energy Star has run on a third-party certification scheme since 2011 (before that date, self-declaration was accepted). The scheme involves three actors distinct from the manufacturer.
EPA-Recognized Laboratory
Section titled “EPA-Recognized Laboratory”The testing laboratory must be recognised by the EPA for the target category. Recognition typically rests on ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation issued by an accreditation body recognised by the EPA (NVLAP, A2LA in the United States, COFRAC in France, DAkkS in Germany, and others), with explicit scope on the Energy Star methods for the category. The EPA maintains a public list of recognised laboratories.
The laboratory runs the tests according to the specification protocol (modes to measure, ambient conditions, power measurement equipment with ISO/IEC tolerances, product set-up instructions) and issues a formal test report.
EPA-Recognized Certification Body (CB)
Section titled “EPA-Recognized Certification Body (CB)”The Certification Body is an entity distinct from the laboratory, also EPA-recognised, which:
- Reviews the test report against the applicable specification.
- Examines the model documentation (datasheet, photos, product family declaration where used).
- Decides on the award of the Energy Star certification and signs the attestation.
- Uploads the product to the central Energy Star Certified Products Database.
EPA-recognised CBs include Intertek, UL Solutions, TUV Rheinland, TUV SUD, CSA Group, Bureau Veritas, ICC-ES and SGS among others; the current list is published on energystar.gov. CB recognition rests on ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation on Energy Star scope, and the same group with an in-house laboratory (UL, Intertek) must operate an organisational separation between laboratory activity and CB activity to avoid any conflict of interest.
Partner Agreement and use of the mark
Section titled “Partner Agreement and use of the mark”The manufacturer signs a Partner Agreement with the EPA, non-exclusive and royalty-free, which governs:
- Use of the mark (typography, colours, model reference, restrictions on advertising context).
- Annual sales reporting of units sold by certified model, transmitted to the EPA under commercial confidentiality.
- Notification obligation for design changes affecting energy performance.
- Cooperation obligation for verification testing conducted on units acquired at retail.
The label may be withdrawn by the EPA for repeated verification testing failures, misrepresentation or non-compliant use of the mark.
Certification path overview
Section titled “Certification path overview”| Step | Actor | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Specification scoping | Manufacturer and regulatory team | Identification of the Vx.y specification applicable at the placement date |
| Laboratory testing | EPA-Recognized Laboratory | Test report on all required modes |
| Documentary review | EPA-Recognized Certification Body | Certification decision |
| Listing | Certification Body via EPA database | Entry in Certified Products Database |
| Partner Agreement | Manufacturer and EPA | Right to display the Energy Star mark |
| Annual reporting | Manufacturer | Units sold transmitted to the EPA |
| Surveillance | EPA via recognised laboratories | Tests on retail-acquired units (verification testing) |
Energy Star Most Efficient: the annual tier
Section titled “Energy Star Most Efficient: the annual tier”Energy Star Most Efficient is an annual distinction published by the EPA, sometimes referred to as MEX in industry literature. It recognises products that significantly outperform the Energy Star specification of their category. Key features:
- Annual renewal: the list is published each calendar year and a product must earn it again each cycle. It is not a permanent certification.
- Subset of categories: the distinction currently targets a subset of Energy Star categories, primarily consumer-facing (televisions, washers, air conditioners, heat pump water heaters, windows). Not every active electronics category is eligible: computers, displays and imaging equipment do not always carry an annual Most Efficient tier.
- Quantified threshold: for each eligible category, the EPA publishes a Most Efficient threshold (for example TEC 25 to 30 per cent below the Energy Star threshold), released at the start of the year.
- Distinct mark: the Most Efficient logo may be displayed alongside the Energy Star logo, but its validity is limited to the reference year unless renewed.
Energy Star products database and utility recognition
Section titled “Energy Star products database and utility recognition”The Certified Products Database on energystar.gov is the single source of truth for verifying a certification. For each model, it exposes:
- Brand, model, unique identifier.
- Specification and Vx.y version of certification.
- Date of certification and CB that issued the attestation.
- Key energy data (TEC, Pon, mode-by-mode consumption).
- Most Efficient flag where applicable.
This database is queried by:
- Federal acquirers under FEMP and FAR.
- US utilities that gate eligibility to rebates and demand-side management programs on database listing.
- Marketplaces and retailers that filter product listings on the Energy Star label.
- State programs (notably the California Energy Commission Title 20 framework, sometimes aligned with Energy Star).
Listing in the database is therefore operationally decisive for federal procurement, utility rebates and major retail channels, even though the label itself remains legally voluntary.
Energy Star vs the EU energy label
Section titled “Energy Star vs the EU energy label”The EU energy label is governed by Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 (Energy Labelling Regulation), which replaced Directive 2010/30/EU. It differs from Energy Star on several structuring points.
| Criterion | Energy Star (United States) | EU energy label (European Union) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Voluntary | Mandatory for categories covered by delegated regulations |
| Legal basis | Clean Air Act section 103(g); EPCA for DOE categories | Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and category-level delegated regulations |
| Authority | EPA and DOE | European Commission and national surveillance authorities |
| Result format | Binary qualifying threshold | A-to-G scale (after 2021 rescaling) |
| Electronics scope | Computers, displays, set-top boxes, network equipment, audio/video, imaging, servers, storage | Displays (TVs and monitors), servers (ecodesign Lot 9); no mandatory label for computers or printers |
| Test methods | Specific ENERGY STAR methods (often referencing IEC) | Harmonised IEC/EN methods cited in the delegated regulation |
| Mandatory third party | Yes since 2011 (EPA-Recognized Lab and CB) | Self-declaration under manufacturer responsibility, member-state market surveillance |
| Central database | Certified Products Database (energystar.gov) | EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labelling) |
| Renewal | Through specification revision, no fixed rescaling | Structural rescaling through regulation (2021 for several categories) |
| Mutual recognition | None with EU since the 2018 lapse of the office equipment agreement | Reciprocally |
The EU-US Energy Star Agreement for office equipment (signed in 2001, renewed in 2006 and 2012) had enabled a degree of mutual recognition for computers and printers: the EU aligned its ecodesign requirements on Energy Star for these categories and recognised the US certification. That agreement lapsed in 2018 and was not renewed. The EU has since moved fully to its own ecodesign framework (framework Directive 2009/125/EC and Regulation 2024/1781) and its own energy labelling (Regulation 2017/1369).
For manufacturers targeting both markets, two distinct test campaigns must therefore be planned: one to ENERGY STAR methods for the US database, the other to the IEC/EN methods of the EU delegated regulation for EPREL. See the EU and US dual certification guide for the broader framing.
International Energy Star programs
Section titled “International Energy Star programs”The Energy Star logo is used outside the United States in several jurisdictions, under bilateral agreements with the EPA:
- Canada: Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) administers Energy Star Canada for nearly all electronics categories.
- Japan: METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) administers Energy Star for office equipment (the International Energy Star Program).
- Taiwan: the Bureau of Energy administers Energy Star Taiwan for office equipment.
- European Union: historical program for office equipment, ended in 2018 (not renewed).
These national programs typically recognise US Energy Star certifications for the categories covered by agreement, but require a separate national registration. In every case, the label remains voluntary in those jurisdictions.
Common pitfalls
Section titled “Common pitfalls”| Pitfall | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Treating Energy Star as a mandatory market-access rule in the United States | Confusion with EPCA and 10 CFR Parts 429-431 (MEPS), which are mandatory; Energy Star itself stays voluntary |
| Certifying on a specification version close to its effective date without checking the sunset date | Certification effectively expires within months, re-certification needed on Vx.y plus one |
| Confusing a generic ISO 17025 laboratory with an EPA-Recognized Laboratory for the target category | Test report not admissible by the CB, tests to be re-run |
| Confusing laboratory and Certification Body | No valid attestation; the report does not, on its own, deliver the certification |
| Displaying the Energy Star logo without a signed Partner Agreement | Unauthorised use of the mark, possible withdrawal and trademark action |
| Carrying over the pre-2018 EU Energy Star label to a product placed on the EU market after 2018 | Misleading claim with no legal basis |
| Failing to file annual sales reporting by certified model under the Partner Agreement | Risk of label withdrawal by the EPA |
| Listing a product in the Certified Products Database without aligning the commercial model designation | Mismatch between datasheet and database; the listing is not enforceable at the FEMP control point |
| Treating Energy Star Most Efficient as a permanent certification | Distinction lost at the end of the reference year if not re-earned |
| Extending the certification to an untested variant of the same product family without a properly documented family-of-products declaration | Specification non-conformity, withdrawal on the variant |
| Ignoring the test method differences between Energy Star and EU delegated regulations when preparing a single campaign | Gaps in one of the two markets, second campaign required |
Further reading
Section titled “Further reading”- FCC, overview: for the radio and electromagnetic emissions side of electronics placed on the US market, distinct from Energy Star
- EU and US dual certification: a strategy for dual compliance covering ecodesign, labelling and radio
- Glossary: definitions of EPA, DOE, FEMP, EPCA, MEPS, CB, ISO/IEC 17065, EPREL
See also
Section titled “See also”- EU Ecolabel, PEF and LCA for electronic products
- Conflict minerals: Dodd-Frank, EU 2017/821, CMRT and EMRT
- IEC 62133 and UN 38.3: Li-ion battery safety and transport
- Lithium battery shipping: IATA DGR, IMDG, ADR, DOT
Sources & references
- ENERGY STAR, official program site , EPA and DOE www.energystar.gov/
- EPA, ENERGY STAR overview , US Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/energy-star
- DOE, Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) , US Department of Energy www.energy.gov/eere/femp/
- ENERGY STAR Product Specifications, central repository , EPA www.energystar.gov/products/spec
- ENERGY STAR Certified Products Database , EPA www.energystar.gov/productfinder/
- EU Energy Labelling Regulation 2017/1369 , Official Journal of the European Union eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32017R1369
Frequently asked questions
- Is Energy Star mandatory in the United States?
- No. Energy Star is a voluntary labelling program, co-administered by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the DOE (Department of Energy). It does not gate placement on the market, unlike the federal energy efficiency rules under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) at 10 CFR Part 430. The label is, however, broadly required in practice for federal procurement (through the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the Federal Energy Management Program) and for eligibility to rebates run by US utilities. A non-certified product can be sold legally, but loses access to those channels.
- Who runs Energy Star, EPA or DOE?
- Both agencies. The program was launched in 1992 by the EPA for computers and office equipment, under the Clean Air Act. The DOE joined Energy Star in 1996 through a Memorandum of Understanding that divides categories between the two. EPA leads most consumer electronics, appliances, lighting and buildings categories. DOE leads certain heavy-use appliances and industrial equipment that are also subject to mandatory federal efficiency rules (front-load washers, dishwashers, water heaters, boilers, heat pumps, certain motors and transformers). The energystar.gov site is operated by the EPA and hosts the central Certified Products Database.
- How does an electronic product obtain the Energy Star label?
- The manufacturer has tests performed by an accredited laboratory recognised by the EPA, then obtains an attestation from an EPA-Recognized Certification Body (CB) such as Intertek, UL Solutions or TUV. The CB reviews the test report against the applicable Energy Star specification (for example ENERGY STAR Computers Version 8.0 or ENERGY STAR Displays Version 9.0) and registers the product in the central Energy Star database. The manufacturer signs a Partner Agreement with the EPA, which governs the use of the mark. Annual sales reporting is expected, and the EPA runs verification testing on units acquired at retail.
- Which electronics categories are covered by Energy Star?
- Active electronics categories include computers (Computers V8.0), monitors and displays (Displays V9.0), set-top boxes, small and large network equipment, televisions, audio and video equipment, VoIP and cordless phones, multifunction imaging equipment, printers and copiers (Imaging Equipment V3.2), as well as enterprise servers and data center storage. The full list and the applicable specifications are published on energystar.gov under Product Specifications.
- What is Energy Star Most Efficient?
- Energy Star Most Efficient (sometimes abbreviated MEX in industry literature) is a higher tier inside the Energy Star program, awarded annually by the EPA. It recognises products that significantly outperform the Energy Star specification of their category. The Most Efficient list is published each calendar year and is not a permanent certification: a product must earn it again each annual cycle. It currently covers a limited subset of categories, primarily consumer-facing items such as televisions, washers, air conditioners, heat pump water heaters and windows.
- How does Energy Star differ from the EU energy label?
- The European Union energy label is governed by Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 (Energy Labelling Regulation), which replaced Directive 2010/30/EU. It is mandatory at the point of placement on the market for categories covered by delegated regulations, whereas Energy Star remains voluntary. The EU label rates the product on a fixed A to G scale (after the 2021 rescaling), based on EU-specific test methods (typically harmonised IEC/EN), while Energy Star uses a binary qualifying threshold (the product meets the specification or it does not) based on ENERGY STAR test methods. The two regimes co-existed for office electronics until 2018, when the EU-US Energy Star Agreement for office equipment expired. No general mutual recognition applies today.
- How long does an Energy Star certification stay valid?
- The certification remains valid as long as the underlying specification stays in force and the product is not modified in a way that affects its energy performance. When the EPA publishes a new version of the specification (for example a move from V7.1 to V8.0 for computers), an effective date is announced: from that date, products certified on the previous version are no longer recognised for new placements on the market and must be re-certified on the new version to keep the label on units produced after the effective date. The manufacturer is contractually obliged, under the Partner Agreement, to flag any design change affecting energy performance.
- What is Energy Star for Buildings and Portfolio Manager?
- Energy Star for Buildings is a separate strand of the program that does not certify a product but the energy performance of an existing commercial or industrial building. It runs on Portfolio Manager, the EPA online tool that benchmarks a building's consumption against a reference stock (CBECS, Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey). A building receives a 1-to-100 score; a score of 75 or higher opens access to the Energy Star Certification for Buildings label, subject to verification by a Licensed Professional. This strand is governed by a separate framework from product certification and is not covered by this page, which focuses on active electronics.