Epson responds rapidly to Engery Star programme

The printer, which is scheduled for launch in North America later this year, is the first product to be certified by TÜV Rheinland Japan since the programme’s new requirement came into effect, on January 1, 2011.

The international ENERGY STAR programme was established in the U.S. in 1992 to identify and promote energy-efficient products, in order to reduce energy consumption and, thus, carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to global warming. Since 1995, office equipment products in Japan that meet certain energy-efficiency standards are permitted to carry the international ENERGY STAR logo under a mutual recognition agreement between the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Prior to this year, manufacturers were able to self-declare compliance. However, to enhance the verification and testing of ENERGY STAR compliant products, the programme was changed this year to require verification testing by EPA-recognised laboratories.

The power consumed by a product during use represents a large part of the product’s total environmental impact across its life-cycle. Epson has thus sought to continuously improve the energy efficiency of its products during use and supply customers with products that satisfy ENERGY STAR requirements. Energy-efficient performance is now often mandatory in both government and private procurement. Epson is helping these customers mitigate their environmental impact by becoming even more active in pursuing ENERGY STAR compliance.