The Department of Energy's nationwide appliance efficiency programme is monitored through energy labels on electricity appliances and minimum energy performance standards. The development objectives of this programme coincide with the goals of the national Energy Efficiency Strategy. These are to:
The environmental goal is to reduce greenhouse gases from energy consumption through the introduction of high-efficiency (optimal electricity consumption) appliances. The social goal is to introduce energy-efficient appliances into the market. An added benefit is that poorer consumers have the option of purchasing appliances that are cheaper to run. The economic goal is to support the development of a household appliance industry that produces products that compete at an international level. We also aim to mitigate the effects of peak demand on power capacity through an ongoing process of pushing electrical appliances with lower electricity consumption into the market.