h\bRGY S^AR PART\!"R ENERGY STAR® Program Requirements for Products with Battery Charging Systems (BCSs) Partner Commitments Commitment The following are the terms of the ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement as it pertains to ENERGY STAR qualified battery charging systems (BCS) packaged with a variety of end-use products. The ENERGY STAR Partner must adhere to the following program requirements: comply with current ENERGY STAR Eligibility Criteria for BCSs, as follows: To be eligible for the ENERGY STAR program, the BCS packaged with an end-use product must be an ENERGY STAR qualified BCS. EPA may, at its discretion, conduct market research or tests on products that are referred to as containing an ENERGY STAR qualified BCS. These products may be obtained on the open market, or voluntarily supplied by Partner at EPA's request; comply with current ENERGY STAR Identity Guidelines, describing how the ENERGY STAR marks and name may be used. Partner is responsible for adhering to these guidelines, which include instructions for using the ENERGY STAR BCS graphic that was specifically developed for BCS Partners, and for ensuring that its authorized representatives, such as advertising agencies, dealers, and distributors, are also in compliance; qualify at least one BCS within three months of activating the BCS portion of the agreement. When Partner qualifies the product, it must meet the specification (e.g., Tier 1 or 2) in effect at that time; provide clear and consistent labeling of materials for end-use products with qualified BCSs. The ENERGY STAR BCS graphic must be clearly displayed: 1. on the manufacturer's Internet site where information about end-use products with ENERGY STAR qualified BCSs is provided, and 2. either on the external product packaging (preferably the front face, outside of the box), or on an insert within the box/packaging, or in another creative application provided that a plan is submitted to EPA for consideration and approved prior to implementation. Partner is also encouraged to use the BCS graphic in product literature (e.g., user manuals) and product advertising/promotional materials. Partner is prohibited from directly affixing the BCS graphic to the end-use product or the battery charger. However, it may be displayed on a cord tag that is fastened to a BCS cord; provide to EPA, on a semi-annual basis, an updated list of ENERGY STAR qualified BCSs and their associated end-use products. Once the Partner submits its first list of ENERGY STAR qualified BCSs, the Partner will be listed as an ENERGY STAR Partner on the ENERGY STAR Web site and in other materials. Partner must provide semi-annual updates in order to remain on the list of participating product manufacturers; • provide to EPA, on an annual basis, unit shipment data or other market indicators to assist in determining the market penetration of ENERGY STAR qualified BCSs and their associated end-use products. Specifically, Partner must submit the total number of ENERGY STAR qualified BCSs shipped (in units by model) or an equivalent measurement as agreed to in advance by EPA and Partner. Partner is also encouraged to provide ENERGY STAR qualified unit shipment data segmented by meaningful product characteristics (e.g., capacity, size, speed, or other as relevant), total unit shipments for each model in its product line, and percent of total unit shipments that use an ENERGY STAR qualified BCS. The data for each calendar year should be submitted to EPA, preferably in electronic format, no later than the following March and may be provided directly from the Partner or through a third party. The data will be used by EPA only for program evaluation purposes and will be closely controlled. Any information used will be masked by EPA so as to protect the confidentiality of the Partner; ------- notify EPA of a change in the designated responsible party or contacts for BCSs within 30 days. Performance for Special Distinction In order to receive additional recognition and/or support from EPA for its efforts within the Partnership, the ENERGY STAR Partner may consider the following voluntary measures and should keep EPA informed on the progress of these efforts: specify ENERGY STAR qualified BCSs across all applicable product types; consider energy efficiency improvements in company facilities and pursue the ENERGY STAR label for buildings; purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products. Revise the company purchasing or procurement specifications to include ENERGY STAR. Provide procurement officials' contact information to EPA for periodic updates and coordination. Circulate general ENERGY STAR qualified product information to employees for use when purchasing products for their homes; ensure the power management feature is enabled on all ENERGY STAR qualified computer monitors in use in company facilities, particularly upon installation and after service is performed; provide general information about the ENERGY STAR program to employees whose jobs are relevant to the development, marketing, sales, and service of current end-use products with ENERGY STAR qualified BCSs; feature the ENERGY STAR mark(s) on Partner Web site and in other promotional materials. If information concerning ENERGY STAR is provided on the Partner Web site as specified by the ENERGY STAR Web Linking Policy (this document can be found in the Partner Resources section on the ENERGY STAR Web site at www.enerqvstar.gov). EPA may provide links where appropriate to the Partner Web site. provide a simple plan to EPA outlining specific measures Partner plans to undertake beyond the program requirements listed above. By doing so, EPA may be able to coordinate, communicate, and/or promote Partner's activities, provide an EPA representative, or include news about the event in the ENERGY STAR newsletter, on the ENERGY STAR Web pages, etc. The plan may be as simple as providing a list of planned activities or planned milestones that Partner would like EPA to be aware of. For example, activities may include: (1) increase the availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products by converting the entire product line within two years to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines; (2) demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency through special in-store displays twice a year; (3) provide information to users (via the Web site and user's manual) about energy-saving features and operating characteristics of ENERGY STAR qualified products, and (4) build awareness of the ENERGY STAR Partnership and brand identity by collaborating with EPA on one print advertorial and one live press event; provide quarterly, written updates to EPA as to the efforts undertaken by Partner to increase availability of ENERGY STAR qualified products, and to promote awareness of ENERGY STAR and its message. ------- |