What does China Energy Label (CEL) entail?

In recent years, energy efficiency has become a greater focus of Chinese product regulations. The CEL is a system of compulsory certification for specified electronic devides, and is equivalent to the EU Energy Label. Introduced in 2005, CEL places products in one of five classes of energy efficiency (one being the most energy efficient and five being the worst) and provides additional information on its energy consumption. The rationale behind adopting CEL was to promote consumer purchasing of energy efficient products in China in the wake of concern over rising pollution levels.

CEL applies to more than 25 types of domestic and imported products, and must be obtained prior to the sale, trade, or commercial use of these products in China. Relevant product types include air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, gas kettles, photocopiers, air compressors and flat-screen televisions. The catalog of products subject to CEL is available on CEL’s official website in Chinese.

Producers or imports should, within 30 days of obtaining the CEL, file a record with the authorized agencies via mail, e-mail or other means. This should include the product energy efficiency testing report. Manufacturers and importers of products in the CEL catalog can conduct tests themselves if they have the capability to do so, or authorize an accredited testing organization to determine the energy efficiency grade of their products according to the Guobiao standards for energy efficiency.