Energy Star
Energy Star
The product meets US Environmental Protection Agency efficiency criteria for its category.
What it looks like
A five-pointed star sitting inside a rounded blue rectangle, with the words ENERGY STAR beside it.
What it means
A voluntary programme with per-category thresholds that are periodically tightened, so a certified model is in the more efficient part of its class at the time it was certified rather than the best available. Certification requires testing at an EPA-recognised laboratory, and models are subject to verification testing after the fact. It says nothing about build quality, running cost in your particular use, or anything other than the measured efficiency metric for that product type.
Defined by US EPA Energy Star product specifications. Where a symbol differs between standards, the difference is described above rather than resolved — both versions are in circulation on real labels.
Other certification marks symbols
| Symbol | Means |
|---|---|
| Fairtrade Mark | The certified ingredients were bought on Fairtrade terms, including a minimum price and a premium paid to the producer organisation. |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | Every component of the textile was tested for harmful substances and passed. |
| Woolmark | The product is made from pure new wool and meets the Woolmark performance specifications. |
| NSF certification | Tested and certified by NSF against a public health or food equipment standard. |
| BSI Kitemark | BSI has tested the product and audits the factory that makes it. |
| GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit) | Tested safety — a German voluntary mark requiring independent testing and factory surveillance. |
| Kosher certification (OU and others) | A certifying agency attests that the product is kosher, often with a letter alongside for the category. |
| Halal certification | A certifying body attests that the product complies with Islamic dietary rules. |
| USDA Organic seal | At least 95% of the ingredients are certified organic under the US National Organic Program. |
| EU organic leaf | At least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are organic under EU rules. |
| Crossed grain (certified gluten free) | Independently certified to contain no more than 20 parts per million of gluten. |
| Vegan Society sunflower | Registered with the Vegan Society: no animal ingredients and no animal testing at any stage. |
| Leaping Bunny | Certified cruelty free: no animal testing by the company, its suppliers or third parties after a fixed cut-off date. |
Common questions
- What does the energy star symbol mean?
- The product meets US Environmental Protection Agency efficiency criteria for its category.
- What does it look like?
- A five-pointed star sitting inside a rounded blue rectangle, with the words ENERGY STAR beside it.
Related pages
- EU energy label (A to G) How efficient the appliance is, on a scale from A to G, alongside consumption figures.
- EnergyGuide label (US) The estimated annual energy cost of this appliance in the US, and how it compares with the range for its class.
- Fairtrade Mark The certified ingredients were bought on Fairtrade terms, including a minimum price and a premium paid to the producer organisation.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Every component of the textile was tested for harmful substances and passed.
- Woolmark The product is made from pure new wool and meets the Woolmark performance specifications.
- NSF certification Tested and certified by NSF against a public health or food equipment standard.
- BSI Kitemark BSI has tested the product and audits the factory that makes it.
- GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit) Tested safety — a German voluntary mark requiring independent testing and factory surveillance.
- Kosher certification (OU and others) A certifying agency attests that the product is kosher, often with a letter alongside for the category.
- Halal certification A certifying body attests that the product complies with Islamic dietary rules.
- USDA Organic seal At least 95% of the ingredients are certified organic under the US National Organic Program.
- EU organic leaf At least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are organic under EU rules.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR Product Specifications — US Environmental Protection Agency (Public domain (US Government))