Recently, the Executive Branch instructed the creation of the National Energy Efficiency Labeling Program (the program) and established the application of minimum energy performance standards on selected products.

The programme will aim to establish concrete actions for the actors involved in the regulation and supervision of product labelling. To achieve this, a clear and detailed roadmap will be developed that includes:

• Clear implementation deadlines.
• Progressive incorporation of minimum energy performance standards, known as  Minimum Energy Performance Standards  (MEPS)
• Achievable goals and periodic evaluation mechanisms to measure their impact and effectiveness.

Scope

The program will cover household electrical appliances, as defined in the “table of household appliance consumption” published by the National Electricity Administration (ANDE). This will allow prioritizing those products that have the greatest impact on the country’s energy consumption.

Implementation

The National Committee on Energy Efficiency (the committee) must identify the electrical appliances for domestic use with the highest consumption and coordinate with the competent institutions the preparation, development and implementation of the necessary technical regulations, within a maximum period of two years from its selection.

In the first stage of the program implementation, the committee will select three household electrical appliances with the highest consumption.

Specific objective

The information contained in the energy efficiency labels of household appliances manufactured, imported and marketed in the country must comply with the corresponding Paraguayan technical standards. In addition, the selected products to be required from the second year of their mandatory implementation in the local market must contemplate the application of the minimum energy performance standards or MEPS.

Responsibility and execution

The office of the Vice Ministry of Mines and Energy, which is part of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, will be responsible for implementing and monitoring the program. In addition, the development of conformity assessment bodies will be encouraged to advance the process of product certification.

The program not only seeks to reduce energy costs in homes and businesses, but also to strengthen the country’s competitiveness and contribute to the sustainable development of its economic activities. This initiative positions Paraguay as a benchmark in the adoption of responsible and sustainable measures in energy matters.