Third-party certification from EPA Recognized Bodies will be mandatory for the new ENERGY STAR Testing and Verification procedures on Dec. 31. Manufacturers who want to use the ENERGY STAR (News - Alert) label can now submit products for the third-party certification to Intertek. According to the announcement made by Intertek, the company has been named an “EPA Recognized Certification Body” or CB for ENERGY STAR.
Certification for all gas and electrical ENERGY STAR product categories are covered by Intertek (News - Alert). The company is the only EPA Recognized CB to do so. Over 60 product types across Appliances, Home Electronics, HVAC, Information Technology, Lighting, and Commercial Food Service Equipment are included for the certification.
After the required testing parameters are met, Intertek will provide 24-hour certification for the new ENERGY STAR third-party certification requirements. The time-to-market demands for manufacturers seeking ENERGY STAR approvals will therefore be met.
In a press release, Gregg Tiemann, chief executive of Commercial and Electrical division for Intertek, said, “This distinction by the EPA is a crowning achievement for Intertek. Being the only EPA Recognized Certification Body that has the breadth to cover all gas and electrical ENERGY STAR product categories is clear affirmation of Intertek’s market leading position and global expertise in Energy Efficiency across all types of products.”
Eighteen global Energy Efficiency Centers of Excellence have been deployed by Intertek throughout North America, Asia and Europe. Immediate testing capacity for qualification and verification testing will be provided by these Energy Efficiency labs. These strategically located labs in key regional manufacturing centers will help manufacturers who require testing.
ENERGY STAR Partners usually conduct testing in their own labs. Test data will be submitted to Intertek by the Partners as part of Intertek’s SATELLITE Data Acceptance Program. The data will be submitted for engineering review to product specification requirements. Compliant products will then be awarded ENERGY STAR certification.
For more than 50 years, Intertek has been a top Energy Efficiency testing and certification organization. Testing, certification and market verification services for Energy Efficiency schemes around the world are provided by Intertek. These include DoE, EPA, Natural Resources Canada, Energy Related Products Directive, EcoLabel and SASO among others.
Calvin Azuri is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Calvin’s articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Jaclyn Allard
