Recent experience in Thailand has shown the potential for appliance energy labeling programs to affect manufacturer production decisions. Thailand is one of the few Asian countries to have implemented a successful nationwide energy labeling program for household appliances. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the state-owned generating utility, implemented labeling programs as part of its national demand-side management (DSM) plan. The voluntary labeling of refrigerators and air conditioners started in 1995 and 1996, respectively.

After six years of DSM implementation, EGAT commissioned a Canadian consortium to evaluate the impact of its DSM programs in 1999. This paper describes the methods and strategies used in the process of interviewing the manufacturers. The results and our hands-on experience allowed us to draw important findings about the impact of energy labeling on production decision-making of Thai manufacturers. The Thai labeling programs are a successful example of a voluntary energy labeling effort in a developing country. The lessons learned from Thailand can provide useful guidance to policymakers in both developing and industrialized countries that are pursuing or revamping energy labeling programs.

This paper was presented at the 2nd International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Household Appliances and Lighting held in Naples, Italy (27-29 September 2000).

Authors: Sood R. Na Phuket and Chainuwat Prijyanonda, International Institute for Energy Conservation, Asia Regional Office