=== dc2020-06-0016-pages-1.ppm === } Republic of the Philippines § DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR NO. DC2020-06-0016 PRESCRIBING THE MINIMUM ENERGY PERFORMANCE FOR PRODUCTS (MEPP) COVERED BY THE PHILIPPINE ENERGY LABELING PROGRAM (PELP) FOR COMPLIANCE OF IMPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, DEALERS AND RETAILERS OF ENERGY-CONSUMING PRODUCTS (ECP) WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7638 or the “Department of Energy (DOE) Act of 1992” states that it is the policy of the State to ensure a continuous, adequate, reliable, and economic supply of energy through, among others, judicious conservation, renewal, and efficient utilization of energy, to keep pace with the country’s growth and economic development; WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 11285 otherwise known as “An Act Institutionalizing Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Enhancing the Efficient Use of Energy, and Granting Incentives to Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects” or the EEC Act, as the policy direction of the government in terms of energy efficiency, conservation, sufficiency and sustainability in the country; WHEREAS, pursuant to the EEC Act, the DOE, in consultation with concerned government agencies and entities, local government units, commercial, industrial, and transport sectors and other relevant stakeholders, issued, adopted and promulgated Department Circular No. DC2019-11-0014 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act — Implementing Rules and Regulations (EEC-IRR); WHEREAS, Section 5 of EEC Act provides that the DOE shall be the lead agency in its implementation with the responsibility for the planning, formulation, development, implementation, enforcement, and monitoring of energy management policies and other related energy efficiency and conservation plans and programs; WHEREAS, Rule XII. Energy Efficiency Rating and Labelling Requirements of DC No. DC2019-11-0014, mandates the following: Section 58. Energy Efficiency Rating and Labelling System Section 59. Energy Efficiency Rating and Labelling for Products and Equipment. Section 60. Energy Labelling for Transport Vehicles Section 61. Examination, Testing and Verification WHEREAS, Rule XVII of EEC-IRR enumerated the prohibited acts and enforcement methods, administrative and criminal liabilities; TRO an the §\ini ee OO — — ———$——_——— Swann mh _ ee DC on the Minimum Energy Performance for Products (MEPP) Page 1 of 6 === dc2020-06-0016-pages-2.ppm === WHEREAS, conservation and efficient utilization of energy are among the major strategies of the Government to realize energy self-sufficiency and reduce environmental impacts of energy generation and utilization as instituted in the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) and the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (NEECP); and WHEREAS, the mandatory implementation of the MEPP will lead to, among others, the empowerment of consumers in choosing energy efficient products at the point of sale, realization of energy savings and reduction of energy consumption / bills through the use of energy efficient products, elimination of energy inefficient ones in the market and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of all the foregoing, the DOE hereby institutionalizes the MEPP and issues, adopts and promulgates the following: Section 1. Title. This Department Circular shall be known as the “MEPP Guidelines.” Section 2. Scope and Application. This Department Circular shall apply to all importers, manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers of all energy-consuming products, equipment and transport vehicles. Section 3. Definition of Terms. For the purpose of this Department Circular and its Annexes, the following terms and definitions shall apply: a. AFETD refers to the Alternative Fuels and Energy Technology Division which shall be responsible for the formulation, development and updating fuel efficiency testing guidelines and the Minimum Energy Performance for Transport Vehicles (MEPV) and other transport-related policies in support of the NEECP. (as amended by DC2024-05-0016) b. Applicant refers to any natural or juridical person engaged in the manufacturing, importing, distributing, or dealing of ECPs who registers with the DOE in compliance with the requirements of this Department Circular c. DOE Monitoring Team refers to a core group of personnel from EPRED, and/or other DOE-authorized representatives to assist the agency in the conduct of monitoring and verification activities d. Energy Consuming Products (ECP) refer to products that utilize any form of energy (i.e. electricity, petroleum products, renewable energy, etc.) for specific use e. Energy Label refers to the prescribed tag/ sticker/ marker in this Department Circular that bears the DOE logo and essential energy performance ratings (i.e. efficiency, energy consumption, etc.) compliant to the PPR f. Enforcement refers to an activity or operation including on-site inspections where DOE detects violations or possible violations for the purpose of seeing to it that these comply with the provisions of this Department Circular eee DC on the Minimum Energy Performance for Products (MEPP) Page 2 of 6 === dc2020-06-0016-pages-3.ppm === g. EPMPD refers to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program Management and Technology Promotion Division, which shall be responsible for the promotion and the Information and Education (IEC) campaign activities related to the MEPP (as amended by DC2024-05-0016) h. EPRED refers to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Performance Regulation and Enforcement Division, which shall be responsible for the formulation, development, and updating of the MEPP and guidelines on on-site inspections, conduct of enforcement, monitoring, and verification activities in compliance with the PELP (as amended by DC2024-05-0016) i. EPSMD refers to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Public Sector Management Division which shall be responsible for the promotion and IEC activities for the public sector j. ERTLS - LATD refers to the Energy Research Technology Services - Lighting and Appliance Testing Division which may assist in assessing the recognition of testing laboratories and may also be tapped to assist in the testing services for ECPs covered by MEPP k. EUMB refers to the Energy Utilization Management Bureau which shall be responsible for the formulation, promulgation, enforcement, review and evaluation of the MEPP policy and for implementing monitoring activities to ensure the industry player’s compliance to the program |. Field Offices refers to the DOE Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Field Offices which shall be responsible for market monitoring and enforcement to ensure industry players’ compliance to the MEPP in coordination with the local government units and submit compliance report to EUMB m. ITMS refers to Information Technology Management Services which shall provide support to EPRED in maintaining the NEECD and the online MEPP services n. LS-GLSD refers to the Legal Services - General Legal Services Division which shall be responsible for the adjudication for violations of prohibited acts under the Act, the EEC-IRR, this Department Circular, and any related issuances for non-compliant products, equipment and transport vehicles, in cooperation with EUMB and LATD o. Minimum Energy Performance for Products (MEPP) refers to the minimum energy performance for products set by the DOE for specific ECPs p. Monitoring refers to an activity where DOE systematically observes, checks and keeps record of the compliance with the requirements of this Department Circular q. NEECD refers to the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Database DC on the Minimum Energy Performance for Products (MEPP) Page 3 of 6 === dc2020-06-0016-pages-4.ppm === r. Retailer refers to any natural or juridical person engaged in the business of habitually selling consumer products such as various ECPs directly to consumers s. Verification refers to the process of verifying the correctness of the energy ratings and other information on the energy label, and/or the process of establishing through tests, the veracity and accuracy of claims on energy efficiency Section 4. Covered Energy Consuming Products. Under this Department Circular, the MEPP shall cover ECPs provided under Annex A (Table of MEPP). (as amended by DC2024-05-0016) Section 5. Responsibility of Applicants. Applicants shall have the responsibility of ensuring that their products comply with the applicable MEPP and its requirements under this Department Circular. Section 6. Responsibility of Retailers. Retailers shall have, but not limited to, the following responsibilities: 6.1. Ensure that the ECPs covered by the MEPP and are for sale in stores comply with the MEPP; and 6.2 Cooperate fully with the DOE Monitoring Team during the conduct of monitoring, inspection and verification activities. Section 7. Prohibited Acts. Pursuant to the Act and the EEC-IRR, any person or entity found in violation of any of the following shall be subject to the appropriate criminal, civil and / or administrative sanction as follows: 7.1. Selling, leasing or importing ECPs that do not comply with MEPP or having energy efficiency ratings lower than the prescribed MEPP; 7.2 Failing to provide accurate information or the provision of false or misleading information as required to be submitted under the EEC Act and the EEC-IRR; and 7.3. Failing to comply with issued orders of the DOE in the discharge of its enforcement powers. Section 8. Periodic Adjustment of MEPP. The MEPP shall be reviewed by the members of the Technical Working Groups (TWG) of the PELP every three (3) years, or sooner when warranted, pursuant to Section 10 of the PELP Guidelines. The output of the TWG on the MEPP shall be for approval of the EUMB: Provided, That any adjustments to Annex A (Table of MEPP) shall be endorsed by EUMB for approval of the DOE Secretary. Adjustments to the MEPP shall always be directed towards an increase in energy efficiency or improvement in energy performance. (as amended by DC2024-05-0016) DC on the Minimum Energy Performance for Products (MEPP) Page 4 of 6 === dc2020-06-0016-pages-5.ppm === Section 9. Compliance Requirements. To ensure effective implementation, MEPP- covered ECPs must comply with the prescribed MEPP standards in Annex A (Table of MEPP): Provided That, imported ECPs shall comply with the MEPP standards of the country of origin whenever higher or more energy-efficient than what is prescribed under this Department Circular. (as amended by DC2024-05-0016) Section 10. Enforcement, Monitoring and Verification. The enforcement, monitoring and verification of compliance by applicants and retailers with the MEPP requirements shall be conducted at least once a year, consistent with the PELP Guidelines and PELP Implementing Guidelines. Section 11. Penalties. Upon the determination that any person or entity has committed any of the Prohibited Acts outlined in Section 7 of this Department Circular, the DOE may issue an order for the imposition of the administrative fines and penalties as specified in Annex B (Schedule of Penalties and Fines). The imposition of administrative fines and penalties is without prejudice to the institution of criminal liabilities for violations under the EEC Act, EEC-IRR, and this Department Circular. (as amended by DC2024-05-0016) Section 12. Publication. The DOE shall publish a biannually updated list of compliant products. Non-compliant products shall be published in the DOE website within 72 hours and biannual in newspapers of wide-circulation, including the name of the applicant or retailer with the brand name and model, to whom the violation applies to, and who failed to remedy the citation received from the DOE. An annual report on the status of the MEPP implementation shall be published which shall include, among others, compliance rate by applicants and retailers as well as improvement in the energy efficiency of products sold to consumers in the Philippines. Section 13. Information, Education and Communication Activities. Pursuant to Section 85 of the EEC IRR, the DOE shall develop and undertake a_ national awareness and advocacy program covering energy efficiency and conservation and pursue partnerships with relevant stakeholders for the appreciation of this Department Circular. Section 14. Repealing Clause. The provisions of other circulars, orders, issuances, rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Department Circular are hereby repealed, amended, modified or superseded accordingly. Section 15. Separability Clause. If for any reason, any section or provision of this Department Circular is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected shall remain in full force and effect. Section 16. Effectivity. This Department Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Copies of this Department Circular shall be filed with the University of the Philippines Law Center - Office of the National Administrative Register. DC on the Minimum Energy Performance for Products (MEPP) Page 5 of 6 === dc2020-06-0016-pages-6.ppm === Issued at Energy Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. SIGNED ALFONSO G. CUSI Secretary 15 JUNE 2020 ie ce eee DC on the Minimum Energy Performance for Products (MEPP) Page 6 of 6 === dc2020-06-0016-pages-7.ppm === DC on MEPP Annex A: Table of MEPP ANNEX A Table of Minimum Energy Performance for Products (MEPP) as of 31 May 2024 . For Fixed-speed and Variable-speed Air Conditioners Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF Cooling Capacity < 4.50 kW L Between 4.51 to 9.99 kW Between 10.0 to 14.0 kW . For General Lighting Service Lamps Initial Luminous Efficac Non-Linear Linear 1. (GEL 1. LFL/DFL 2. SFL 2. Double-Capped Panne (yee 3. Self-ballasted Linear LED Lamps Non-directional | ___ LED Lamps 90 Efficacy 100 . For Refrigerating Appliances Energy Efficiency Factor (L/ kWh-24h Volume 113 to < 350L > 350L EEF ) HC“ ‘$e CdS For Television Sets Energy Efficiency Factor (luminous area (m2) / kWh Screen Size < 60 inches EEF 4.5 . For Energy Saving Devices Percent Energy Savings at Specified Load % Energy Savings 20% . For Clothes Washing Machines [_ Capacity 5 to 22kgs Washing Performance Ratio 0.6 Page 1 of 1 === dc2020-06-0016-pages-8.ppm === ANNEX B Schedule of Penaities and Fines Prior to the imposition of the following penalties and fines, measures stated in Section 11 of the MEPP Guidelines shall first be considered (explain, recommend, disclose, order): Violation 10,000 — 200,000 Penalties and Fines (in PhP 200,000 — 500,000 500,000 — 1,000,000 Selling, leasing or importing energy consuming products that do not comply with the MEPP 1° Offense 2"¢ Offense Failing to provide 1* Offense accurate information or the provision of false or misleading energy information as required. 24 Offense 3” Offense Refusal to cooperate 1* Offense (drawing of product samples) during verification testin 2™4 Offense 3% Offense “The imposition of the administrative fines and penalties stated above shall be ona “per product model” basis DC on MEPP Annex B: Schedule of Penalties and Fines :