Australia announces “Equipment Energy Efficiency Prioritisation Plan 2021-2022” 
On April 8, 2022, Energy Rating, the regulator of energy efficiency standards for products in Australia, released the “Equipment Energy Efficiency Prioritisation Plan 2021-2022.” This plan sets priorities in the E3 (Equipment Energy Efficiency) Program, and is expected to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce energy costs for households and businesses. In addition, this plan will affect the work of the E3 Program over the next five years.
The E3 Program aims to improve the energy efficiency of new products sold in Australia and New Zealand, and reduce energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
The announced plan lists 34 products and projects as priorities, of which 26 are “top priorities” and 8 are “medium-term priorities.” The breakdown is shown in the table below. The top priorities also include ongoing projects with 10 decisions that will expire in the next four years.
| Top priority | Ballasts for fluorescent lamps |
| Close control air conditioners | |
| Transformers for power distribution | |
| Electric water heaters | |
| Chillers | |
| Transformers and converters for ultra-low voltage lamps | |
| Computers | |
| TVs | |
| Computer monitors | |
| External power supplies | |
| Household refrigerators and freezers | |
| Clothes washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers | |
| Swimming pool pumps | |
| Phasing out incandescent lamps and halogen lamps and MEPS for LED lamps | |
| Residential water heaters | |
| Household cooking equipment | |
| Industrial products (pumps, air compressors, industrial boilers, etc.) | |
| Electric motors | |
| Commercial ice machines | |
| Commercial catering equipment (dishwashers, fryers, ovens, food storage, etc.) | |
| Battery chargers, external power supplies, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), LED drivers | |
| Network standby, small network devices | |
| Heat pump water heaters | |
| Review of the GEMS Act | |
| Omnibus regulatory reform bill | |
| Medium-term | Cool rooms |
| Lighting equipment | |
| EV charging infrastructure | |
| Regional regulatory instruments for demand response | |
| Providing information on energy grade labels online | |
| Fan certification system | |
| Bulk insulation | |
| Automotive tires |
The relevant documents can be viewed at the following URL:
- Energy Rating Press Release
“EQUIPMENT ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRIORITISATION PLAN 2021-22”
https://www.energyrating.gov.au/news/equipment-energy-efficiency-prioritisation-plan-2021-22 - “E3 Prioritisation Plan 2021-22”
https://www.energyrating.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-04/equipment_energy_efficiency_prioritisation_plan_2021-22.pdf
