ENERGY STAR
U.S. voluntary program for energy efficiency certification
RoHS
EU regulation restricting hazardous substances in EEE
Quick Verdict
ENERGY STAR drives voluntary energy efficiency certification for products and buildings via benchmarking and third-party testing, saving costs and emissions. RoHS mandates hazardous substance limits in EEE for EU market access through material declarations and verification. Companies adopt both for sustainability, compliance, and competitive edge.
ENERGY STAR
EPA ENERGY STAR Certification Program
Key Features
- Mandatory third-party certification and verification testing
- Category-specific performance thresholds above federal minimums
- Standardized DOE test procedures for products
- Strict brand governance and mark usage rules
- Portfolio Manager benchmarking for buildings (75+ score)
RoHS
Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2)
Key Features
- Restricts 10 substances at homogeneous material thresholds
- Open scope for all EEE unless excluded
- Time-limited exemptions in Annexes III/IV
- Requires technical files and EU DoC
- Tiered testing via IEC 62321 standards
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ENERGY STAR Details
What It Is
ENERGY STAR is the U.S. EPA's voluntary labeling and benchmarking program for energy efficiency. It sets category-specific performance thresholds for products, homes, buildings, and industrial plants, using standardized test methods and third-party verification to ensure superior efficiency.
Key Components
- Performance thresholds (e.g., 15% above federal minimums)
- DOE-referenced test procedures
- Mandatory third-party certification via EPA-recognized labs/CBs
- Ongoing verification testing (5-20% annually)
- Brand governance rules and Portfolio Manager benchmarking (75+ score for certification)
Why Organizations Use It
Reduces energy costs ($500B saved since 1992), emissions (4B tons avoided), unlocks rebates/procurement advantages, enhances reputation (90% consumer recognition), and supports ESG goals. Voluntary but de facto standard in many markets.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: assess/gap analysis, testing/certification, deployment, ongoing verification. Applies to manufacturers, builders, building owners across sizes/industries in U.S./partners. Requires labs, CBs, annual building recertification by PE/RA.
RoHS Details
What It Is
RoHS (Directive 2011/65/EU, "RoHS 2") is an EU regulation restricting 10 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) for EEA market access. It protects health and environment from EEE waste risks via a homogeneous material approach, enforcing maximum concentration values in separable materials.
Key Components
- 10 restricted substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, 4 phthalates) at 0.1% w/w (Cd: 0.01%)
- **Annex III/IV exemptionsgranular, time-limited for specific uses
- **Conformity modeltechnical files, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), CE marking
- Aligned with IEC 63000 for documentation, IEC 62321 for testing
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for EU sales, avoiding fines/recalls
- Improves recyclability, supply chain integrity
- Reduces liability, enhances ESG reputation
- Levels playing field, drives substitution innovation
Implementation Overview
- **Phasedscoping, BoM analysis, supplier declarations, risk-based testing, exemption tracking
- Targets EEE manufacturers/importers globally; scales by portfolio size
- Self-assessment with decentralized market surveillance (no certification)
Key Differences
| Aspect | ENERGY STAR | RoHS |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Energy efficiency across products, buildings, plants | Hazardous substances restriction in EEE materials |
| Industry | All sectors, US-focused, voluntary global recognition | EEE manufacturers, EU mandatory market access |
| Nature | Voluntary certification and benchmarking program | Mandatory EU regulation with conformity assessment |
| Testing | Third-party lab testing, ongoing verification (5-20%) | XRF screening, lab confirmation (IEC 62321), risk-based |
| Penalties | Delisting, loss of certification, no fines | Fines, recalls, market bans by Member States |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ENERGY STAR and RoHS
ENERGY STAR FAQ
RoHS FAQ
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