Energy efficiency labels and standards in the developing world: the CLASP Technical Assistance Program

Mirka Della Cava and Stephen Wiel, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Sachu Constantine, Alliance to Save Energy
Denise Knight, International Institute for Energy Conservation

Abstract

Appliance, equipment and lighting energy efficiency standards, a most effective tool for limiting energy growth while stimulating economic growth, deserve to be the cornerstone foundation of a country's balanced portfolio of energy policy programs as it seeks to meet forecasted increases in energy consumption. In pursuit of this vision and in response to developing country policymakers' need for information and technical support on standards development, the Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) was founded in 1999.

CLASP, a joint partnership of the Alliance to Save Energy, the International Institute for Energy Conservation and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, has as its mission to promote efficiency standards and labels in developing and transitional countries through partnerships with in-country agencies, stakeholders and relevant institutions.

It is achieving this through:

1) the development and dissemination of technical and policy support tools such as:

a Guidebook;
a toolkit of training and marketing materials;
and an Internet web site.

2) research and information exchange:

regional workshops; and
baseline development.

3) customised country technical assistance programs developed in conjunction with in-country host agencies and institutions with a focus on the following services:

needs assessment;
policy, analytical, logistical, and advocacy support;
training, education, and compliance programs for key stakeholders;
design services and equipment for the establishment of equipment testing facilities as well as the specification of equipment testing procedures, labels, and efficiency standards.