The Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) program is a cross jurisdictional program through which the Australian Government, states and territories and the New Zealand Government collaborate to deliver a single, integrated program on energy efficiency standards and energy labelling for equipment and appliances.

It is one of a number of programs implemented by the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG’s) Energy Council.  An Inter-Governmental Agreement provides the framework for national cooperation on the E3 Program. A similar arrangement has also been developed to ensure alignment with New Zealand.

On 1 October 2012, the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act 2012 came into effect, creating a national framework for product energy efficiency in Australia.  The GEMS Act is the underpinning legislation for the program.

The GEMS Regulator, based in the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, replaced the previous state regulators and is the sole party responsible for administering the legislation in Australia.

In New Zealand, the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 have a similar role and are administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

• To reduce energy bills for households and businesses in a cost effective way by driving improvements to the energy efficiency of new appliances and equipment sold;
• To improve the energy efficiency of new appliances and equipment that use energy and to also improve the energy performance of products that have an impact on energy consumption; and
• To reduce appliance and equipment related greenhouse gas emissions through a process which complements other actions by jurisdictions.