How Well Do You Know Your Star Label?

You see different star ratings on all your appliances, whether they are refrigerators or ACs or washing machines or a big LED TVs. They are all given some star rating by the famous “Star Label” which is an initiative by the Indian government to ensure that we as the final users of the products are able to contribute to energy conservation.

It’s been over a decade since we saw the launch of this Standards and Labelling scheme and now we can see that almost all refrigerator dealers in Mohali or AC dealers in Chandigarh have these products marked according to their energy efficiency. Some of us buy these products solely based on the star rating. We have indeed become more environmentally conscious and this is a good thing. 

How Has The ‘Star’ Fared Till Now?

It was in the month of May itself back in the summer of 2006 (13 years ago) when the Government of India and Ministry of Power launched the Standards and Labelling (S&L) Scheme. It was under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. Its entire implementation and follow up was handed over to The Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

Ever since the Standards and Labelling scheme has guided us in our purchase decisions and made us more responsible. Now we don’t just look for the best brands of LED TV Dealers in Chandigarh or the most stylish looking washing machines in Mohali but we have become more sensitive to where our money is going.

It has caused some drastic impact on our buying habits and the environment as well which was long overdue. It has also made us more aware of a more practical and ethical way to contribute to energy savings. This scheme not only targets the upper middle class but also the well educated lower middle class which is growing in purchasing power. It efficiently lays down minimum energy performance standards for the electronics and appliances industries so that they are motivated to making better machines. Needless to mention, all of this has led and still continues to lead to savings in cost and power. So now, when you are in the market looking for the next best possible addition to your home appliances, remember that this ‘star label’ isn’t just a label anymore. It is the symbol of our responsibility towards our planet.