Appliance Standards and Labelling regulations
The following Appliance Standards and Labelling regulations have been put in place to promote energy efficient appliances:
VC 8043 Compulsory Specification for Incandescent Lamps R 74 7 Feb 2014 37228 VC 9006 Compulsory Specification for Hot Water Storage tanks for domestic use R 913 12 Aug 2016 40205 VC 9008 Compulsory Specification for Energy Efficiency and Labelling of Electrical and Electronic Apparatus R 944 28 Nov 2014 38232 VC 9091 Compulsory Specification for Single-Capped Fluorescent Lamps R 379 23 May 2014 37654
Letter of Authority Requirements
In terms of these regulations, manufacturers and importers must have a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) before an appliance in the categories below can be sold. The LOA verifies that the particular appliance conforms to the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) specified for that particular category of appliance.
Appliance Category | |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioners | Letter of Authority Required |
| Audio-visual Equipment | Letter of Authority Required |
| Dishwashers | Letter of Authority Required |
| Electric Ovens (Large) | Letter of Authority Required |
| Electric Ovens (Small & Medium) | Letter of Authority Required |
| Freezers | Letter of Authority Required |
| Fridges | Letter of Authority Required |
| Fridge-freezers | Letter of Authority Required |
| Storage Water Heater | Letter of Authority Required |
| Light bulbs (Electric lamps) | Letter of Authority Required |
| Tumble Dryers | Letter of Authority Required |
| Washer-dryers | Letter of Authority Required |
| Washing Machines | Letter of Authority Required |
South African Energy Efficiency Label Requirements
In addition, manufacturers and importers are required to supply a South African Energy Efficiency Label with the packaging of each appliance in the categories shown below. Retailers are required to display this label with the appliance in physical and online stores. The label indicates the energy efficiency class of the appliance, the manufacturer and appliance model. For some appliances, the label will also have non-energy data such as water consumption per cycle and appliance noise level. The appliances that require labels are outlined below:
Appliance Category | Label Size | Label Mandatory | Key energy efficiency information shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioners | 110 mm X 200 mm | Yes | Annual energy consumption in cooling mode |
| Dishwashers | 110 mm X 200 mm | Yes | The estimated kWh used per cycle |
| Electric Ovens | 110 mm X 200 mm | Yes | The estimated kWh used per standard load |
| Fridges and Freezers | 110 mm X 200 mm | Yes | The estimated kWh used per year |
| Storage Water Heater | 110 mm X 200 mm | Yes | The rate of heat loss of the storage water heater over a 24 hour period |
| Light bulbs (Electric lamps) | 55 mm X 100 mm | Optional | The watts drawn to operate |
| Tumble Dryers | 110 mm X 200 mm | Yes | The estimated kWh used per cycle |
| Washer-dryers | 110 mm X 200 mm | Yes | The estimated kWh used per cycle |
| Washing Machines | 110 mm X 200 mm | Yes | The estimated kWh used per cycle |
Minimum Energy Performance Standards
South Africa has put in place regulations that require appliances sold in South Africa to meet Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). MEPS define the minimum level of energy performance that an appliance must meet or exceed before it can be sold. MEPS regulations have been put in place to protect consumers from purchasing appliances that use a wasteful amount of electricity and it is illegal to sell appliances on the South African market that do not meet or exceed the MEPS that are defined in the regulations. For example, all air conditioners sold in South Africa must have a rating of Class B or better.
MEPS are put in place to improve the energy efficiency of appliances. Since MEPS define a minimum energy performance rating for appliances, energy inefficient appliances are prevented from entering the market and being sold to consumers. In addition MEPS send a signal to manufacturers to improve the energy efficiency of their appliances.
MEPS benefit consumers as appliances available for purchase are more energy efficient and cost less to run as a result of the electricity savings that accumulate over the lifetime of the appliance.
MEPS are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are revised upwards when advances in technology allow for additional energy efficiency improvements in appliances.
The following MEPS have been specified:
Appliance Category | MEPS |
|---|---|
| Air Conditioners | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class B |
| Audio-visual Equipment | In passive standby mode power consumption should not exceed 1 W, except for set-top boxes which must not exceed 3 W |
| Dishwashers | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class A |
| Electric Ovens (Large) | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class B |
| Electric Ovens (Small & Medium) | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class A |
| Freezers | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class C |
| Fridges | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class B |
| Fridge-freezers | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class B |
| Storage Water Heater | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class B |
| Tumble Dryers | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class D |
| Washer-dryers | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class A |
| Washing Machines | Minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of Class A |
Reporting Non-Compliance
If an appliance is not labelled with the South African Energy Efficiency Label, or carries a false label, it does not conform to the Minimum Energy Performance Standards and this should be reported to the NRCS.