Poland set minimum energy efficiency standards in 1962,which is the first international mandatory minimum energy efficiency standards in the country. After the French in 1966 to set efficiency standards for refrigerators . Gone through a period of adjustment , France and Germany formally implemented in 1976 compared mandatory identification to enable consumers to be similar models in the comparison of energy performance . In 1978, Canada implemented a mandatory comparative identity , logo products covered room air conditioners , freezers , refrigerated containers , refrigerated - freezers.

The earliest use of energy efficiency standards system to effectively influence product manufacturers , and thus achieve significant energy savings fruitfully country , should be 1976 U.S. ( California ) . The standards take effect in 1977 . In 1980, the United States launched a mandatory "Energy Guide " energy efficiency labeling program . In the same year , Australia introduced a voluntary gas appliances comparison logo, it 's mandatory energy efficiency labeling appliances into force in 1986 , covering the major household appliances . In 1994, the EU began to implement a unified mandatory comparison logo. The late 1980s , Germany and Canada were implemented to ensure identification ; By the 1990s, many countries have launched their own identity assurance project , one of the most successful in the United States in 1992 launched the " Energy Star " project, has been gradually become a global project . China in 1998 began to implement voluntary labeling program to ensure that the energy-saving product certification.

Up to now , there are 37 countries have implemented energy efficiency labeling program , almost all industrialized countries and many developing countries have used the identity of refrigerators and other household appliances , energy efficiency labeling program is world-wide popularity .

Energy efficiency labels referred to energy efficiency labeling , is attached to an energy-using product identification , highlighting the size of the product energy consumption and energy efficiency rating which can guide and help consumers select energy-efficient energy-saving products. Energy efficiency labels can be enforced , but also voluntary implementation .

With the energy efficiency labeling system of continuous improvement, label types have continued to increase , at present, around the world there are mainly three types : to ensure identification, comparison and identification information identifies a single .

1 ) to ensure identification

 Guarantee logo, also known as certification mark or approval mark , mainly on the quantity of the product meets the specified requirements and provide a unified and identical labels, there is no specific information on the label .

Ensure identification only that the product has reached or exceeded a certain level of energy efficiency , but not the level of degree . This logo is usually the top level of energy efficiency for 10% - 20 % of the energy-using products , which is mainly used to help consumers distinguish between similar products, so energy-efficient products are more easily recognized, such as compact fluorescent light than incandescent more energy efficient. Ensure that identifies the general adoption of voluntary principles , applies only to certain types of energy-using products . America's " Energy Star" that belongs to guarantee logo. Adopted by the world stage as part of the guarantee logo shown in Table 1.1 .

Table 1.1 identifies the currently used parts are guaranteed

2 ) Comparative labels

Compare identifier identifies the level of performance through a system of discontinuous or continuous scale , to provide consumers with relevant product energy consumption , operating costs , energy efficiency or other important characteristics and other aspects of information, which is easily understood by consumers . Consumers in making purchasing decisions , can be energy efficiency and price , reliability, convenience and other features considered together , and with the energy performance of similar products to compare . According to indicate different methods to compare identity can be further divided continuity Identity comparison and energy efficiency rating logo : Continuity Identity comparison - this logo with a continuous scale using the logo to represent all the models of similar products in the relative location , consumers can derive comparative information , and then make a purchase option . Canada and the United States has adopted a continuous comparison identified . Energy efficiency rating logo - This logo usage grading system for the product to establish a clear energy efficiency rating , enabling consumers to simply check mark , it is easy to know which models of the same type on the market, the relative level of energy efficiency , and to understand their the difference. Such identification is sometimes also contains the operating characteristics of the models , prices, consumption and other specific information . Adopt energy efficiency rating identifies many countries and regions , such as the EU , Iran, Brazil, Australia , New Zealand , South Korea, Hong Kong, China and Thailand . Identity comparison feature is in addition to showing the specific energy consumption indicators or product running costs , but also gives the type of products with the level of energy efficiency , easy for consumers to understand and acknowledge how good the product . Most of the world countries and regions have adopted the comparison identifies , among which the most commonly identified energy efficiency rating from the state of development over the past few years , the use of energy-efficiency rating logo has become an international trend . Table 1.2 lists some of the world are using the comparison logo. Identity comparison is usually enforced , are widely used in all models of a particular category of products . However, some countries(districts) have adopted voluntary relatively identification, such as New Zealand, China, Hong Kong and so on.

 Table 1.2  Table for comparative labels for part of the world

3 ) Single message labels

 Information identifies the technical performance data, such as the annual energy consumption of products , operating expenses or other important features such as specific values , and does not reflect the type of products with the energy efficiency level , nor does it provide different models for performance comparison between the energy consumption of a simple method ( e.g. classification system ) . Such identification contains only pure technical information, not easy for consumers to compare and choose . Information identifies a single country has Japanese products marked with Canada's EnerGuide energy vehicle fuel efficiency labeling and so on.