BEE Certification and Star Labelling
Seamless Compliance Solutions for Energy Efficiency ExcellenceIntroduction of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
The Government of India (GoI) set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power 1st March 2002 in accordance with the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, to develop policies and strategies to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
Products regulated must be approved by BEE and have star label marked affixed on it in order to be manufactured/sold in the Indian market and thus, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer/ importer/ trader of the product to meet the energy performance standards laid out by the department.
BEE Star label: S&L (Standard and Labelling) Certification Scheme
To achieve the aim of bringing down the energy intensity of economy, BEE launched the S&L certification scheme to realize the benefits of energy efficiency through reduced energy consumption in household electrical appliances. The major objective of the regulation is to give the consumer an informed choice about the energy-saving (and thereby, cost-saving) potential of the marketed product.Products regulated must be approved by BEE and have star label marked affixed on it in order to be manufactured/sold in the Indian market and thus, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer/ importer/ trader of the product to meet the energy performance standards laid out by the department.
Products covered under BEE Certification
Manufacturers (who is actually producing the goods) having their company outside India can apply for FMCS license. The company shall ensure below listed points before applying for said license:
Mandatory Products covered under BEE Certification
S. No. | Products | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Frost Free Refrigerator | Since January 2006 |
2 | Tubular Fluorescent Lamps | Since January 2009 |
3 | Room Air Conditioners (Fixed and Variable Speed) | Since January 2006 |
4 | Distribution Transformer | Since January 2009 |
5 | Room Air Conditioner– Cassette, Floor Standing Tower, Ceiling, Corner AC | Since January 2006 |
6 | Direct Cool Refrigerator | Since May 2006 |
8 | Colour TV | Since May 2014 |
9 | LED Lamps/Bulbs | Since January 2017 |
10 | Ceiling Fan | Since May 2019 |
11 | Stationary Storage Type Electric Water Heater (Electric Geysers) | Since December, 2015 |
12 | Light Commercial AC Fixed and Variable Speed | Since September 2021 |
13 | Deep Freezers | Since September 2021 |
14 | Ultra-High Definition (UHD) Television | Since December 2021 |
Voluntary Products covered under BEE Certification
S. No. | Products | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Computer (Notebook /Laptops) | Since July 2016 |
2 | Domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Stoves | Since June 2019 |
3 | General Purpose Industrial Motor | Since January 2016 |
4 | Submersible Pump Set Agricultural Pump Sets | Since February 2020 |
5 | Ballast (Electronic/Magnetic) | Since January 2016 |
6 | Solid State Inverter | Since December 2016 |
7 | Office equipment’s (Printer, Copier, Scanner, MFD’s) | Since July 2014 |
8 | Diesel Engine Driven Monoset Pumps for Agricultural Purposes | Since January 2016 |
9 | Diesel Generator Set | Since January 2016 |
10 | Chillers | Since September 2018 |
11 | Microwave Oven | Since March 2018 |
12 | Solar Water Heater | Since December 2019 |
13 | Table/Wall Fan | Since March 2023 |
14 | Induction Hob | Since March 2023 |
15 | Side by Side/Multi Door Refrigerator | Since March 2023 |
16 | Air Compressors | Since May 2020 |
17 | Tyres/Tires | Since December 2021 |
18 | High Energy Li-Battery Li-ion traction batteries and Systems | Since December 2021 |
19 | Washing Machine (Semi/Top Load/Front Load) | Since March 2018 |
20 | Pedestal Fan | Since March 2023 |
Energy Efficiency Parameters | Star labels and label period
Energy efficiency labels are informative/ enlightening labels affixed to products to describe their energy usage and performance. A star rating, ranging from 1 to 5 in the ascending order of energy efficiency is provided to the permittee and products registered with the Bureau.
A label period is the duration prescribed by BEE for which the star rating of a product is valid. When the department revises the label period for a specific product, sometimes the star rating calculation table and energy performance criteria for the product are also updated.
A label period is the duration prescribed by BEE for which the star rating of a product is valid. When the department revises the label period for a specific product, sometimes the star rating calculation table and energy performance criteria for the product are also updated.
Process of BEE Certification
The applicant/permittee to participate in the BEE star labelling regulation must be an Indian entity and could be the manufacturer/ importer/ trader of the product, who wishes to carry out the sales of the product under its name in the Indian market.Company registration
The applicants shall first register themselves on the Standards and Labelling (S&L) web portal by filling online form by submitting the requisite documents from the brand, factory and Indian entity
The approval is granted by BEE in form of a login account under which subsequent models of the product are registered.
Once the testing is completed, performance test report and rating of the parameters to identified star rating are issued.
The approval is granted by BEE in form of a login account under which subsequent models of the product are registered.
TESTING
Performance Testing can be carried out parallelly along with the Company Registration process. Testing of the model must be done as per BEE’s prescribed standardOnce the testing is completed, performance test report and rating of the parameters to identified star rating are issued.
MODEL REGISTRATION
Once the applicant is registered with BEE and has procured a login account, the respective models are registered under this account.Production data upload
Permittee/ applicants should submit sales statistics of a model in a financial year and pay the labelling fees to BEE.
Refer the flowchart below for better understanding of the BEE registration process
Process of BEE Surveillance
BEE’s Check testing lays down the surveillance procedure to ensure that the permittee is complying with the EC Act (2001 and subsequent amendments) and regulations relating to the energy labeling of appliances and equipment.
Samples are randomly picked up from the market by the Bureau or its designated agency and testing is conducted in third-party NABL accredited laboratories. The permittee can be directed to withdraw all the stocks from the market, in case the model fails the check testing procedure. Financial penalties can also be levied by the bureau, as well as the publication of name and model of the failed product in print media/newspapers.
Samples are randomly picked up from the market by the Bureau or its designated agency and testing is conducted in third-party NABL accredited laboratories. The permittee can be directed to withdraw all the stocks from the market, in case the model fails the check testing procedure. Financial penalties can also be levied by the bureau, as well as the publication of name and model of the failed product in print media/newspapers.
Check Testing
Challenge Testing
BEE’s Challenge Testing is conducted if a written compliant is received against the details present in the star label of a model or regarding the requirement stated in the BEE notified Schedule of the product.
If the model against which the compliant is received has undergone Check Testing in the last one year from the date of receipt of compliant, the complainant is informed of the results of the check testing.Challenge Testing is conducted in an independent third-party laboratory/BEE empaneled lab.If the Challenge Testing results deem the compliant as incorrect, the complainant must bear the charges of all the expenses.
If the model against which the compliant is received has undergone Check Testing in the last one year from the date of receipt of compliant, the complainant is informed of the results of the check testing.Challenge Testing is conducted in an independent third-party laboratory/BEE empaneled lab.If the Challenge Testing results deem the compliant as incorrect, the complainant must bear the charges of all the expenses.
Documents required for BEE Certification
- Brand/Trademark certificate
- Quality Management System Certificate (ISO 9001) of the factory
- List Of Authorised Retailers
- MSME certificate (which varies as per the company’s turnover)
- And mention Quality Management System Certificate (ISO 9001) of the factory and applicant firm.
Company Registration
Testing and Model Registration
- Declaration letter
- User manual and product specification sheet
- Performance Test Report
- Safety Test (which varies from product to product)
- Sample label
How VINCULAR can help you with the BEE Certification?
VINCULAR is working with manufacturers across the globe to get the BEE certificate for their product since 2016.VINCULAR always aim to get the certification process completed in minimal possible timeline that can give our manufacturer a competitive edge in market
- Dedicated team for enquiries and support
- Better understanding of standards/regulation and notifications
- Long term association with test labs and government departments
- Coordination with labs, preparing test samples and testing authorized labs
- Preparing complete application set and submission
- Handling technical and other queries from regulators/certification bodies
- Helps in designing Energy Efficiency Label preparation
- Guide the customer about the product label fee to be paid quarterly
Application Preparation
FAQs
Concept of BEE star rating is simple: the appliance is rated on a scale of 5 for their energy efficiency. Higher the rating more energy efficient it is which means it will consume lesser electricity
BEE has bifurcated products under two categories namely Mandatory product and Voluntary Products. Presently, under BEE S&L program covers star rating for 34 appliances/equipment.
There are two surveillance process in BEE namely Check Testing and Challenge Testing.
Label Period: means the validity period of the electricity consumption under the energy labelling plan specified in the BEE schedule.
Following are the entities that need to get BEE certifications
- Manufacturers
- Traders
- Importers
BEE accepts the 3-year-old test report until there is any change in the standard.
The Production data upload can be done on quarterly basis