What It Is

ENERGY STAR is the U.S. EPA-administered voluntary labeling and benchmarking program for energy efficiency. It establishes category-specific performance specifications for products, homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants, using a portfolio of thresholds, standardized testing, and independent verification to signal superior efficiency.

Key Components

• Performance thresholds (e.g., 15% above federal minimums for appliances)
• DOE-referenced test procedures
• Third-party certification by EPA-recognized labs/CBs
• Post-market verification testing (5-20% annually)
• Portfolio Manager for building scores (75+ for certification)
• Brand governance via controlled marks Certification is ongoing, with annual building recertification.

Why Organizations Use It

Reduces energy costs ($500B saved since 1992), emissions (4B tons avoided), unlocks rebates/procurement advantages, enhances reputation (90% consumer recognition), supports ESG/compliance. Voluntary yet de facto standard in many markets.

Implementation Overview

Assess gaps via Portfolio Manager, test/certify products, benchmark buildings, engage CBs, maintain verification readiness. Applies to manufacturers, builders, owners across sizes/industries in U.S./partners. Requires data governance, training, continuous compliance.

What It Is

ISO 19600:2014, officially "Compliance management systems — Guidelines," is a Type B guidance standard from the International Organization for Standardization. It provides recommendations for establishing, implementing, evaluating, maintaining, and improving a Compliance Management System (CMS) across all organization sizes and sectors. The risk-based approach follows a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle aligned with Annex SL structure.

Key Components

• **10 clausesContext, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement.
• **Core principlesGood governance, proportionality, transparency, sustainability.
• Emphasizes compliance obligations identification, risk assessment, controls, training, monitoring.
• Non-certifiable; used for benchmarking, predecessor to certifiable ISO 37301.

Why Organizations Use It

• Mitigates regulatory penalties, operational risks, reputational damage.
• Enhances decision-making, efficiency (10-20% cost savings), market access.
• Builds integrity culture, stakeholder trust; future-proofs for certification.

Implementation Overview

• **Phased roadmapLeadership commitment, gap analysis, design, rollout, continuous improvement.
• Scalable for SMEs to multinationals; integrates with ISO 9001/14001.
• No formal certification; internal audits, management reviews suffice. (178 words)