Published name
Upload a submission
9 December 2021
Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER)
Email: sunsetting@industry.gov.au
Dear GEMS Product Review Team,
RE: Equipment Energy Efficiency E3 Program Review GEMS Determinations Expiring
by 2025
I write to support the strongest options, including those that require DISER to undertake a
full RIS with a view to raising MEPS, that DISER has proposed in the Public Consultation
Papers on the 4 determinations made under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum
Standards Act 2012 (Cth) (GEMS Act) that are due to expire by 2025. CHOICE believes that
the GEMS Act, which provides the framework for both the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3)
program and the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), should be fully utilised to
drive improvements in the energy efficiency of equipment that is for sale in Australia.
Through CHOICE's program of testing consumer appliances, we have seen both the E3
program and MEPS drive improvements in energy efficiency. But our work highlights that
there is still more that can be done within the framework set out in the GEMS Act, as
reflected in the Public Consultation Papers.
In this submission, we address the GEMS determinations that relate to set-top boxes,
computer monitors, and external power supplies. CHOICE is not expressing any views on
the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Power Transformers) Determination 2012
as this is not a consumer product.
Consumers want to reduce the money they spend on energy
Energy efficiency is an important issue for consumers, both due to environmental
considerations and also because of its impact on cost of living. Our research has shown that
over half of all Australians (57%) believe it’s important that the products or services they are
57 Carrington Road Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone 02 9577 3333 | Fax 02 9577 3377 | Email campaigns@choice.com.au | www.choice.com.au
The Australian Consumers’ Association is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. ABN 72 000 281 925 ACN 000 281 925
1
purchasing are eco or environmentally friendly1, while electricity costs concern 66% of
Australians.2
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Set-top Boxes) Determination 2012
CHOICE supports allowing the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Set-top
Boxes) Determination 2012 to expire on 1 April 2023.
Set-top boxes have declined in popularity and are becoming redundant due to the features
included in televisions currently on sale in the Australian market. Very few people still buy
set-top boxes. Given DISER’s research shows that only 6 of the current 18 set-top boxes
registered under GEMS will still be registered at the date the Determination is due to expire,
we don’t see that GEMS will deliver meaningful energy efficiency in this dwindling market.
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Computer Monitors) Determination
2014
CHOICE urges the DISER to adopt the recommendation to undertake a full Regulatory
Impact Statement (RIS) and a full cost benefit analysis of increasing the MEPS for the
computer monitor determination. If this recommendation is not put forward by DISER then
CHOICE supports the renewal of the determination as a minimum.
The reason CHOICE supports the stronger recommendation is due to the evidence
presented in the Public Consultation Paper. The review highlighted that the energy rating
label (ERL) is an effective and efficient way to improve energy efficiency in computer
monitors. The review found that the net benefit is a saving of over $16 million in energy bills
each year. This saving represents a significant benefit to consumers, especially given
people’s concerns about the amount of money they spend on energy bills.
However, the review also found that the MEPS settings are too low to improve energy
efficiency. Given the effectiveness of MEPS when the settings are sufficiently high, we
support a more indepth review of the MEPS settings and raising the minimum standard.
An increase in the minimum energy efficiency of computer monitors would likely result in
even bigger savings for consumers. Removing monitors that currently rate between 1 and
2.5 stars, as proposed in the Public Consultation Paper, would likely increase the energy
savings for consumers. We urge DISER to recommend a full RIS to explore this change and
undertake this work soon.
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (External Power Supplies) Determination
2014
1
CHOICE, 2021, Consumer Pulse. Fieldwork and sample managed by the ORU, undertaken between 15-29
September, 2021 with a sample size of 1,045 respondents.
2
ibid.
57 Carrington Road Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone 02 9577 3333 | Fax 02 9577 3377 | Email campaigns@choice.com.au | www.choice.com.au
The Australian Consumers’ Association is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. ABN 72 000 281 925 ACN 000 281 925
2
CHOICE urges DISER to recommend that it undertake a full analysis to determine the costs
and benefits of increasing MEPS and changing the labelling requirements for external power
supplies.
The analysis contained in the Public Consultation Paper states that the MEPS settings are
too low to drive improvements in energy efficiency. As the MEPS settings are weaker than
international standards, CHOICE urges DISER to review MEPS to improve energy efficiency
so that consumers benefit from the associated reduction in energy costs. Harmonising
MEPS with international standards would likely improve energy efficiency in a cost effective
way for government and business, which is in line with the policy goals of the GEMS Act. We
support the DISER recommending a full analysis of increasing the MAPS and labeling
requirements.
For further information, please contact CHOICE on dprice@choice.com.au
Yours sincerely,
Dean Price
Senior Campaigns and Policy Advisor
57 Carrington Road Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone 02 9577 3333 | Fax 02 9577 3377 | Email campaigns@choice.com.au | www.choice.com.au
The Australian Consumers’ Association is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. ABN 72 000 281 925 ACN 000 281 925
3
