This guide outlines the essential components of standards, rating, and labeling schemes for products and buildings, highlighting key concepts and common challenges.

Standards, rating, and labeling schemes differentiate efficient products and buildings from those that are inefficient by establishing minimum energy performance standards. Such schemes help consumers save money and reduce energy consumption, and they help governments meet goals for national energy savings and targets for reducing greenhouse gases.

The energy savings potential from efficient products and buildings in the developing world is immense (PDF 4.2MB), particularly as energy demand is predicted to increase dramatically in some developing countries. Promoting efficient products and developing enforceable green building codes can save energy, ensure reliable electricity distribution, and improve the quality of life for underserved communities.

DISCLAIMER

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by ICF as part of the Energy Efficiency Toolkit. The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.