Green Stickers on Consumer Products

Green Stickers or Pollution stickers on consumer goods have been evolving since the 1970’s. The main drivers have been energy and fuel consumption. These stickers first started appearing on major appliances after government agencies in the USA and Canada regulated their requirement. Manufacturers are also required to meet minimum standards of energy use. The Automobile industry in North America is required to meet a minimum emissions standard. This lead to fuel efficiency labels being placed on new automobiles sold. The major appliance manufactures were required to use standard testing practices and place clear labels on products.
Federal Governments of many countries have created Environmental Protection Agencies [] most of these agencies are not mandated to be consumer watchdogs but to watchdog industry from releasing chemical pollution into the environment
Green Sticker Program - Canada
The Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) run by the Ministry of Natural Resources Canada regulates both the automobile and appliance manufacturers.
EnerGuide label for vehicles found on all new passenger cars, light-duty vans, pickup trucks and special purpose vehicles not exceeding a gross vehicle weight of 3855 kg (8500 lb). The label shows the city and highway fuel consumption ratings and an estimated annual fuel cost for that particular vehicle
Federal law in Canada, under Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations,requires that the EnerGuide label be placed on all new electrical appliances manufactured in or imported into Canada and that the label indicate the amount of electricity used by that appliance. This information is determined by standardized test procedures. A third-party agency verifies that an appliance meets Canada's minimum energy performance levels
Green Sticker Programs - United States of America
All major home appliances must meet the Appliance Standards Program set by the US Department of Energy (DOE). Manufacturers must use standard test procedures developed by DOE to prove the energy use and efficiency of their products. Test results are printed on yellow EnergyGuide label, which manufacturers are required to display on many appliances. This label estimates how much energy the appliance uses, compares energy use of similar products, and lists approximate annual operating costs. Your exact costs will depend on local utility rates and the type and source of your energy
Government Agencies for Energy Conservation
* OEE Canada http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/english/index.cfm?attr=0
* Canada Energy Efficiency Regulations http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/appliances/energuide.cfm?attr=4
* EnerGuide Label http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/appliances/energuide.cfm?attr=4
* USA DOE Appliance Standards http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=appliances.pr_appliances
* Energy Star yellow label http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/rea14.shtm
* EPA green vehicle guide http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do;jsessionid=8230fd13eed84b4307b5

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