On February 7, 2024, China’s National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Energy Administration jointly released the Notice on the release of Advanced Energy Efficiency Levels, Energy-efficient Levels and Access Levels of Key Energy-Using Products and Equipment (2024 edition) (hereinafter referred to as the Notice). The Notice is composed of six main tasks and the annex. The annex identified specific key products, energy-efficiency indicators, units, classification, levels and referencing standards.
The notice has been revised from its previous version, the 2022 edition, which failed to adequately address China’s industrial development needs. The new edition incorporates adjustments and integrates 23 new products to align with China’s commitment to energy conservation and carbon emission reduction. The main changes regarding standardization are summarized as follows:
- Clarification of recommended national standards and association standards: Energy efficiency levels are categorized into three tiers: advanced, energy-efficient, and access levels, consistent with the previous edition. Each tier is supported by specific standards requirements. Notably, products or equipment must meet the access level before entering the market, potentially leading to the adoption of recommended national standards or association standards as de facto compulsory standards equivalent to compulsory national standards. It could easily create confusions over the boundary between the compulsory national standards, recommended national standards, and association standards. To prevent the confusion, the Notice emphasizes that no energy efficiency access level shall be set for products and equipment referencing recommended national standards or association standards.
- International standardization for energy saving and carbon emission reduction. To promote the green and low-carbon consumption, the Notice encourages the engagement in formulation of international standards and promotes the mutual recognition of energy efficiency standards.
- Upgrading and supplementation of compulsory energy-efficiency standards. The Notice assigns the tasks of
- upgrading the compulsory energy-efficiency standards for commonly-used products and equipment in industrial and commercial areas;
- formulating compulsory energy-efficiency standards in the fields of information and communication, transportation, new types of home appliance, renewable energy resources, as well as standards for products of pumps, and system operation energy efficiency standards, such as standards of pumps, industrial fans, air compressors, etc.
In general, the Notice has been expanded to include a wider range of products and equipment, as well as more detailed and comprehensive actions to be taken. Building upon the previous version, it promotes recycling, green and low-carbon consumption, and emphasizes enforcement, surveillance, and comprehensive policy support. Foreign stakeholders are advised to stay informed about China’s involvement in international standardization for energy conservation and carbon emission reduction, as well as mutual recognition in this area.
