The energy labeling program is implemented on the basis of building a system of national standards on energy efficiency for products with large energy consumption in the market. This performance standard system is the basis for enterprises to declare energy efficiency on vehicles, equipment and products when circulating on the market. The energy efficiency standard system is periodically reviewed and revised once a year according to regulations. Up to now, on the market, there are 4 groups of subjects applying labeling, including: (1) Household appliances, (2) Office and commercial equipment, (3) Industrial equipment, (4) Group of means of transport.

- Household appliances group includes: Straight tube fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, electromagnetic and electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps, LED lamps, storage water heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, rice cookers, electric fans, televisions...
- Group of office and commercial equipment includes: copiers, computer monitors, laptops, printers, commercial refrigerators.
- Group of industrial equipment includes: Distribution transformers, electric motors.
- The group of means of transport includes: motorcycles, mopeds, and cars (7 seat type or less).

In the coming time, the labeling implementation roadmap will continue to target energy-consuming products in large quantities. Accordingly, in 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is coordinating with manufacturers, research institutes and the Ministry of Science and Technology to develop a roadmap to apply energy efficiency standards to a number of energy-consuming products on the market, publish national standards on energy efficiency for 06 products. Potential products are products that are widely used, consume a lot of energy such as desktop computers, power adapters, induction cookers, electric stoves... All of them are being researched and evaluated by the authorities carefully.

In order to further promote the trend of consuming energy-saving products, and orient the market development of products with higher energy efficiency, from 2020 the Ministry of Industry and Trade has launched the Highest Energy Efficiency Product Award. The program initially promotes manufacturers to bring to market energy-using products with outstanding features and high energy efficiency (above 5 stars). Products with the highest Energy Efficiency Labels issued with QR codes when circulated on the market are certificates of outstanding energy-saving products.

What solutions does the Ministry of Industry and Trade have to promote energy labeling activities in the coming time?

Mr. Dang Hai Dung:

After 8 years of implementing the Compulsory Energy Labeling Program, there has been a strong transition in energy efficiency in the market so far. However, in order to improve the efficiency of energy labeling activities, it is necessary to synchronously deploy the following groups of solutions:

Continue to improve legal documents and administrative documents: On the basis of the Law on Efficient Use of Energy, it is necessary to continue to review, supplement and perfect the system of administrative documents to actually put the legal provisions into practice. In particular, it is necessary to make appropriate policies on technology (to gradually eliminate low energy-efficient technologies from the market and promote high-efficiency technologies, continue to add a number of groups of suitable products and equipment on the labeling roadmap for the period 2021-2030), in addition to activities to encourage and support businesses in the implementation of the Energy Labeling Program, in the coming time, activities such as inspection and supervision by State management agencies will be strengthened. State management agencies will inspect and supervise the compliance with regulations on energy efficiency of units and enterprises supplying products to the market.

Supplementing and perfecting technical and technological standards: Energy efficiency and technology standards need to be revised, updated, and gradually improved according to the level of domestic technology development in order to gradually integrate with regional and global standards.

Promoting propaganda and widespread dissemination of information about energy-labeled products to consumers and businesses: One of the decisive factors for the success of energy labeling activities is raising awareness and interest of consumers so that they actively choose to buy energy-saving products, not just concerned about price or brand as before.

Strengthening international cooperation: In the context that Vietnam does not undergo much experience and resources to implement energy saving activities and energy labeling as desired, the help and support of international organizations plays an extremely important role as a lever to promote the development of the market for highly efficient equipment and energy labeling programs in the country.