From 1 October 2001 it has been mandatory for air conditioners manufactured in or imported into Australia to meet the MEPS levels specified in the relevant Australian Standards.  When you buy and use an air conditioner which meets or exceeds these standards you can be sure you are not unnecessarily contributing to greenhouse emissions.

The next round of MEPS 

AREMA sub-Committee examining inclusion of multi head systems (muti-splits) in MEPS
These systems are making up a larger proportion of the airconditioning market but are currently not included in MEPS because there is no relevant test standard for them.  With the recent publication of an ISO standard Australia could adopt that standard and include multihead systems in the MEPS framework.  The AREA sub-committee has agreed with the DEWHA consultant developing the standard on modifications needed for the local implementation of the ISO standard.

South Australia withdraws proposal to accelerate MEPS and mandatory demand control devices
South Australia has withdrawn the supplementary Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) seeking accelerated MEPS and the mandatory fitment of devices to allow electricity utilities to turn airconditioners off.
link to the supplementary RIS

AREMA and the Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee (E3 Committee)
The E3 Committee is a committee of Federal & State officials covering energy efficiency and safety.

AREMA is a member of the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts E3 Review Committee which advises the government on energy efficiency
The committee is chaired by Government and consists of industry representatives from AREMA (Steve Anderson), AEEMA, CESA, GAMAA, AIIA, the Commercial Building Association, Standards Australia and representatives of the Equipment Energy Efficiency Program.  The committee's role is to oversee future MEPS processes, insuring that relevant industry sectors are suitable involved. The committee is a result of the Department of Environment & Heritage's commitment to develop a more open and transparent MEPS process, which should provide for more effective industry consultation and greater certainty at an earlier stage in the process.  See the MEPS and Energy Labelling Regulatory Process Flowchart agreed to by the Committee

E3 Committee documents
Minutes of 10 August 2006 meeting which includes a copy of the committee's Terms of Reference.

A National Strategy to address Air Conditioner Peak Load - a paper commissioned by the committee.

A Strategy for improving the the energy efficiency of Non-Residential Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Systems - a paper commissioned by the committee.

 

Other MEPS Information
Press release by the Federal Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment & Heritage congratulating the industry on taking action to benefit consumers and the environment.  

Energy and MEPS ratings of air-conditioners - link to government appliance selector

What are the MEPS requirements - link to current requirements

There are substantial penalties for selling or offering to sell at the wholesale or retail level, appliances which are not labelled in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard or which do not meet MEPS requirements.  Click here for penalties as at August 2004.