South Africa to Initiate Appliance Energy-Efficiency Labeling System May 6, 2005

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New household refrigerators in South Africa will soon be labeled with color-coded with energy-efficiency labels as part of a major government energy-saving plan that aims to cut the region's oil, coal, and electricity use by 12 percent in the next 10 years.

The initial labels are set to be attached voluntarily by manufacturers to some brands, while others will take effect in the next 18 months and will include appliances such as washing machines, dryers, stoves, and freezers.

According to the region's Minerals and Energy Affairs Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, refrigerators will be labeled using an A to G grading system.

The energy-saving drive -- which also targets major industries -- is to be carried out through radio advertisements, in special taxi-rank promotions, and with municipal utility bills.

At a household level, Mlambo-Ngcuka said the appliance labeling system would allow consumers to make more informed decisions about saving on electricity bills.

Government sources also suggest that household electricity bills are likely to rise steeply in the coming years to pay for new power stations. (Cape Times)

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