National Energy Conservation Law of China

Country / jurisdiction: People's Republic of China · Year: 1997 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

The China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS), by 1995, was directed to oversee organization of MEPS efforts and revision. Not until 1997, under the National Energy Conservation Law of China, were regulatory mandatory efficiency standards for energy-consuming products fully endorsed legally.

There are several articles that were first associated with the law and in the following years, more articles were added:

Articles include:

Article 14: calls for the formulation of national standards by the administrative department for standardization

Article 18: promotes the use of energy efficiency labeling

Article 24 (National People Congress 2008): under the State Council manufacturers are legally bound to comply

Article 43: If manufacturers violate the standard, then the adminsitrative department may submit a proposal to suspend production and close the factory.

Article 48: discussion of possible punitive measures for counterfeit labels

The main goal of this law is to meet residential demands for energy by promoting energy conservation with an emphasis on economic and social development as well as the economic benefits of energy efficiency. It includes a strategy to incorporate conservation and efficiency into economic and social planning nationwide, focussing on the rational use of energy and decreasing the environmental impact of energy use. This law looks to grow the economy by encouraging renewable energy resource development also.

Official source: https://china.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/china_sl_info.pdf