Energy Labels under Watch: BEE Cracks Down on Fake Star Ratings

– Enforcement Ecosystem: Roles & Responsibilities
– S&L Programme – Intensify Market Surveillance…
– More Stars – More Energy Savings
– Expedite Promotion of Star rated appliances … to benefit Consumers.
– BEE Urged SDAs of all States.

Vijayawada, Neti Patrika Prajavartha :
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, is ramping up enforcement of its Standards & Labelling (S&L) Programmed by sharpening its focus on Market Surveillance—an essential tool to protect consumers and safeguard India’s ambitious energy-saving goals.
This flagship initiative has delivered massive impact: ₹54,324 crore saved in consumer energy costs, 58 million tons of CO₂ emissions avoided, and a fivefold jump in production of star-labelled appliances—from 10.5 crore units in 2014 to 58 crores in 2024.
BEE has now specifically emphasized the need for all State Designated Agencies (SDAs) of all States to intensify Market Surveillance. The goal: ensure only genuine, compliant, star-labelled products reach consumers, prevent counterfeit labelling, maintain proper visibility of labels, and uphold Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
Spot checks through strategic sampling of high-volume appliances help detect violations. If found, manufacturers or sellers face legal action under Section 26 of the EC Act, 2001, overseen by the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs).
The enforcement framework includes:
• BEE (Ministry of Power, GOI): Sets standards, empanels testing labs, engages independent evaluation agencies, and supports SDAs with technical guidance.
• State Designated Agencies (SDAs): Act as nodal enforcement bodies, conduct inspections, escalate violations to SERCs, and submit compliance reports within 30 days.
• SERCs: Conduct hearings, impose penalties, and ensure due legal process for errant entities.
A standout examples of this effort is the Andhra Pradesh State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM), TSREDCO, Telangana SDA, EMC, Kerala SDA apart from several SDAs in the country praised by BEE for their comprehensive state-wide surveillance and enforcement.
While discussing the status of the S&L Programme and future prospects Milind Deore Secretary, BEE who has discussed along with Directors Kamran Sheikh and Abhishek Sharma about the present status and future prospects of S&L programme has disclosed that international agencies have recognized this programme for effectively addressing Climate Change and enhancing Economic development.
Market surveillance is not Just government Procedure add-on—it’s the backbone of public trust.
Notably, the S&L Programme contributes 60% of India’s total energy efficiency-related CO₂ savings and supports the country’s pledge to cut 1 billion tons of emissions by 2030 Milind Deore said.
Currently, 39 appliances are covered under the scheme, with 16—like air conditioners, fans, and refrigerators—under mandatory labelling.
In a landscape flooded with appliances, rigorous on-ground enforcement is what keeps the label honest. And when the stars are real, so are the savings—for consumers, and for the planet.