South Korea expands scope of Energy Efficiency Grading Scheme

On January 2, 2024, the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced the promulgation of a new revision to the Operational Regulation on Equipment for Efficiency Management (hereinafter "the Regulation"), which governs the country's Energy Efficiency Grading Scheme.

The Regulation adds dishwashers and portable air conditioners to the scope of the Energy Efficiency Grading Scheme. It also adds computers, multifunction copiers, straight LED lamps, and pumps, which were previously covered by other energy efficiency-related regulations, to the scope of the Regulation to control the four products under the Energy Efficiency Grading Scheme.

The Regulation also strengthens existing standards for products already covered by the Energy Efficiency Grading Scheme. For clothes dryers, the scope of the scheme is enhanced while for items including air cleaners, electric hot and cold water dispensers, dehumidifiers, set-top boxes, the energy efficiency standards and minimum energy performance standards are strengthened.

Details of the changes made by the Regulation and the respective effective dates are as follows.