As 35% of the greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the generation of electricity, together with the Department of Energy, manufacturers and retailers, as well as public utilities and private enterprises, the USEPA introduced the Energy Star program (“program”), a voluntary energy efficiency program, in 1992. The objective of the program is to encourage the manufacturing of high energy efficiency electrical and electronic products, in order to reduce the carbon dioxide released through electricity generation. The program has since developed into an international program, with presence throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The Republic of China (ROC) government also introduced the “office equipment category” of the program into Taiwan through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Environmental Protection Administration of ROC (“ROC-EPA”) and USEPA in July 1999. At present, the ROC Energy Star program is operated by the Environment and Development Foundation (EDF) under the commission of ROC-EPA. EDF is in charge of initial review of the application, while the right to decide on grating the use of Energy Star logo remains with the ROC-EPA. Acceptance of application for use of logo on the office equipment products under the ROC program started in July 2000. Since close to 60% of global office equipment and information technology products can be attributed to Taiwanese manufacturers, the energy efficiency improvement of Taiwanese office products can have global consequences. Presently, there are close to 6.2 million units of office equipment products carry the Energy Star logo under the ROC program, capable of saving 109 million kWh of electricity, and reduced 70 thousand tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. For the year 2005, the ROC Energy Star program has accomplished the following tasks: 1. Conducted audit of 200 products and uncovered 4 non-complying products. As a result of the audit actions, the ratio of non-complying products has decreased from the high of 51% 2002 to the present 2%; 2. Established communication channel with other Energy Star programs and maintained constant contact; 3. Revised and updated the Chinese Energy Star website and published 3 issues of electronic ROC-Energy Star Newsletters in both Chinese and English, which has been distributed to 16 thousand interested parties worldwide, and served the purpose of disseminating ROC program information; 4. Gathered and Compiled implementation experience and strategies from other Energy Star programs which can be used in developing domestic eco-labeling implementation strategies; 5. Completed the comparisons and segregation analysis of various labeling program in ROC, and compared the products and specifications from these programs.

ENERGYSTAR, Greenhouse Gases, Office Equipment