When environmental issues came to the centre stage and concern about the threats to the world ecology became widespread, United Nations appealed to all countries to reduce pollution in order to prevent global warming. After the 1992 Earth Summit convened in Rio de Janeiro, all countries initiated action to save earth from ecological destruction. The United Kingdom, in conformity with the United Nations policy introduced several regulations to protect environment. It became mandatory in European Union and UK that all products that use energy should carry energy labels. The labels indicate that the products are designed and manufactured in such away to conserve energy and to reduce emission of toxic gases to the minimum limit as mandated under the rules.
The consuming public is equally conscious about the consequences of environmental pollution, thanks to the universal awareness programme initiated by the Governments as well as international agencies. Further energy has become an expensive commodity and the individual consumers are anxious to keep down the consumption charges. No wonder, the shoppers now a days want to ensure that white goods and other appliances that consume power are carrying energy labels or green labels. There are many regulations in the European Union countries stipulating strict adherence to anti-pollution and energy saving methods. All goods and service that are based on energy consumption have to indicate that they are manufactured or provided to the public, strictly adhering to the concerned rules. Labels with logo will be attached to the products.
Energy labels on washing machines will show the rate of energy consumption per cycle of wash and dry operation. The products are classified into different categories on the basis of their performance as far as energy consumption is concerned. Exhaust levels also will come under scrutiny. Classified from A to G energy efficiency will be optimum in A while it will be least in G. Other factors that are covered for the purpose of classification are total consumption of energy during the operation, maximum spin speed, total cotton capacity, water consumption and level of noise and gases emitted. Energy efficiency will be indicated in Kwh per kilogram of cotton.
Now that the energy labels are statutory obligation, both the dealers and the consumers should take special care to adhere to the rules. It is matter of personal and social interest. The consumer should realize that optimum energy efficiency will reduce the power consumption charges. Reduction of air and noise pollution will contribute towards healthy living conditions. European Union Energy Label website exhorts the consuming world to save environment while saving money.
