2010年4月14日，美國環(huán)保局和能源部聯(lián)合宣布對能源之星產品認證程序的變化以確保只有符合能源之星計劃要求的產品才能接收能源之星標簽。這些變化促進能源部和環(huán)保部在過去幾個月中實施的為促進驗證、測試和之星能源之星計劃各方面的步驟。
“能源之星計劃開始的影響較小但發(fā)展迅速，現(xiàn)在其品牌對消費者和各行業(yè)都非常有價值”EPA空氣和輻射辦公室副部長吉娜 麥卡錫說，“對數(shù)百萬信賴能源之星產品能夠節(jié)約能源、金錢和保護環(huán)境的消費者來說我們所實行的安全措施是非常必要?！?br> “消費者相信能源之星產品能夠幫他們省錢并降低碳污染”，能源效率與可再生能源辦公室助理部長凱蒂 佐伊說：“我們正在采取措施進一步加強和改善能源之星確保其仍然為未來能效的標志。”
在此次調整中，立即生效的條款為：制造商要想獲得“能源之星”的認證標簽，必須提交完整的試驗報告和評估成果，并由EPA證明，在EPA審核批準該產品為“能源之星”合格產品之前，制造商將無法獲得“能源之星”認證標志。同時，在對“能源之星”資格認證審查過程中，EPA加強了批準系統(tǒng)，不再依賴自動批準程序，而是對所有新的資格申請進行檢查和批準。
EPA和DOE將在今年年底前進一步加強“能源之星”的認證程序，規(guī)定：所有制造商必須提交由受認可的、批準的實驗室出具的測試結果，以保證產品符合“能源之星”要求。目前所涉及的產品有窗戶、門、天窗和螢光燈泡等，而在新的檢測過程中，“能源之星”計劃下的產品類別將會擴大到60多個，包括冷凍柜、冷藏冷凍箱、洗衣機、洗碗機、熱水器和房間空氣調節(jié)器等。
新聞原文：http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/a1681df7e5a27357852577050058fd62!OpenDocument
內容如下：
U.S. EPA, DOE Announce Changes to Bolster Energy Star Program
Release date: 04/14/2010
Contact Information: Dave Ryanryan.dave@epa.gov202-564-7827202-564-4355Enesta Jonesjones.enesta@epa.gov202-564-7873202-564-4355
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy today jointly announced changes to the Energy Star product certification process to ensure that only products meeting the program requirements can receive an Energy Star label. These changes accelerate steps DOE and EPA have initiated over the past several months to bolster the verification, testing and enforcement aspects of the Energy Star program.
The Energy Star program started out small and has grown quickly, and now the brand is immensely valuable to consumers and businesses, said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. The safeguards were putting into effect are essential for the millions of consumers who rely on Energy Star products to help save energy, money and the environment.
Consumers trust the Energy Star brand to save them money and reduce carbon pollution, said Cathy Zoi, DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The steps we are taking to strengthen the program will ensure that Energy Star continues to be the hallmark for energy efficiency in the years to come.
Effective immediately, manufacturers wishing to qualify their products as Energy Star must submit complete lab reports and results for review and approval by EPA prior to labeling. Following a thorough review of the Energy Star qualification approval process, EPA has strengthened its approval systems and is no longer relying on an automated approval process. All new qualification applications will be reviewed and approved individually by EPA. EPA will begin accepting new applications by the end of the week.
Additionally, companies applying to be program partners will not be able to access the Energy Star certification mark until EPA has approved a specific Energy Star-qualified product submitted by the company.
EPA and DOE are further strengthening the certification process with a requirement effective at the end of the year that all manufacturers must submit test results from an approved, accredited lab for any product seeking the Energy Star label. Testing in an accredited lab is currently required for certain product categories including windows, doors, skylights and compact fluorescent lighting. The new process will extend the requirement to each of the more than 60 eligible product categories under the Energy Star program.
These efforts are in addition to enforcement and testing procedures already in place to ensure compliance with Energy Star specifications. The Department of Energy is conducting off-the-shelf product testing for some of the most common household appliances and a recent Inspector General audit found that 98 percent of products tested fully complied with Energy Star requirements.
The EPA and DOE are committed to continually strengthening and improving the Energy Star program, which provides information to consumers to help identify the most energy efficient products on the market that will save them money and reduce carbon pollution.
The Energy Star program outlined these steps in detail for EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and DOE Secretary Steven Chu in an April 2 memo. More information: http://www.energystar.gov
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