The role of civil society in appliance efficiency standards and labeling (S&L) programs: Some...

The role of civil society in appliance efficiency standards and labeling (S&L)

programs: Some suggestions for network

Bharath JairajOctober 1st, 2012

What role have CSOs played in S&L programs?

10 case studies including:

• Australia• Chile• China• EU• Ghana

• Japan• Malaysia• South Korea• Thailand• USA

Stages in the development of S&L programs

Decide whether and how to implement S&L program

Develop testing capability

Analyze and set standards

Design and implement labeling program

Design and implement communication campaign

Ensure program integrity

Evaluate program performance and refine

CS

O P

artic

ipat

ion

• Raising awareness/Outreach campaigns• Providing information and advice to

consumers

Conventional roles for CSOs in S&L programs

• Handbooks for consumers in Chile• EU public awareness and preference surveys• Label design feedback from consumers in

Ghana• Seminars, lectures and conferences in Korea• Targeted information campaigns in Malaysia• Media and education campaigns in Thailand

Examples of Awareness/Outreach programs:

• Lab testing and reporting• Market research to identify products• Label design• Monitoring label awareness / consumption

changes in society• S&L program evaluation and feedback

CSOs have played a role in other stages

Australia

– Advocacy and lobbying to implement mandatory labels

– Outreach materials– Set up a series of testing projects, including lab

tests and home monitoring systems– Participated in the label design process.

Role of consumer groups in S&L

EU: Active role in label review processes (rescaling)

Role of consumer groups in S&L

– Instrumental in signing a nation-wide labeling program memorandum

– Program now covers the majority of household electronic appliances

– CK has since then lobbied the government to expand the program further

Role of consumer groups in S&L

Factors to enable greater CSO participation

Internal• interest• technical capacity• funds• HR• link to larger citizenry

External• enabling policies• participatory spaces• funding support• training support

Timeframes

Other factors that enable the success of S&L programs

Australia

Ghana

• Timeframes• Resources• Compliance• Review• Regulatory framework• Multi-stakeholder engagement• Monitoring• Impact evaluation

Other factors that enable the success of S&L programs