On September 3, 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between National Test House (NTH), Department of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, aimed at strengthening the Standards & Labelling (S&L) Program, a crucial initiative designed to promote energy efficiency across the country.
Some of the salient features of the MoU include: i) BEE shall recognise NTH as referral laboratory and send its cases pertaining to technical disputes regarding the test results for consultation; ii) BEE shall nominate Officers of NTH in their various Technical Committees in consideration of expertise with NTH Officers; iii) NTH shall conduct Capacity Building Training to BEE Officers at the NTH Regional Laboratories / BEE Head Quarters at Delhi; iv) Complete Review of existing S&L Programme of BEE including Check Testing Procedures; and v) Any other Technical matter pertaining to S & L Scheme with mutual consent.
While speaking on the occasion, Khare said, “Product should be designed not to fail but to last. To facilitate consumers and to ensure their rights, this MoU will prove as a stepping stone towards an everlasting relationship between NTH and BEE.”
Star Ratings of electrical appliances and products are provided by BEE. Focusing on their idea behind the partnership, Agarwal said, “We need to check whether an industry that has taken the star ratings from us is consistently delivering on the parameters. To ensure this, we have joined hands with Department of Consumer Affairs for market surveillance and for dependable testing.”
The MoU was signed by Milind Deore, Secretary, BEE and Alok Kumar Srivastava, DG, NTH.
