ErNtRGY star
PARTNER
ENERGY STAR® Program Requirements
for Decorative Light Strings
Partner Commitments
Commitment
The following are the terms of the ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement as it pertains to the
manufacturing of ENERGY STAR qualified decorative light strings. The ENERGY STAR Partner must
adhere to the following program requirements:
•	comply with current ENERGY STAR Eligibility Criteria, defining the performance criteria that must be
met for use of the ENERGY STAR certification mark on decorative light strings and specifying the
testing criteria for decorative light strings. EPA may, at its discretion, conduct tests on products that
are referred to as ENERGY STAR qualified. 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 and for ensuring that
its authorized representatives, such as advertising agencies, dealers, and distributors, are also in
compliance;
•	qualify or private label at least one ENERGY STAR decorative light string model within one year of
activating the decorative light strings' 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 ENERGY STAR qualified decorative light strings. The
ENERGY STAR mark must be clearly displayed on the top/front of the product, in product literature
(i.e., user manuals, spec sheets, etc.), on product packaging, and on the manufacturer's Internet site
where information about ENERGY STAR qualified models is displayed;
•	provide ENERGY STAR sales training to all sales staff. This training shall include: a) identification of
ENERGY STAR labeled products, b) tips for selling ENERGY STAR qualified products, and c) tips
for answering questions about ENERGY STAR.
•	provide to EPA, on an annual basis, an updated list of ENERGY STAR qualifying decorative light
string models. Once the Partner submits its first model or family of ENERGY STAR qualified
decorative light strings, the Partner will be listed as an ENERGY STAR Partner. Partner must
provide annual updates in order to remain on the list of participating product manufacturers;
•	for each qualifying decorative light string model and/or family, provide to EPA test data to certify that
the model/family has met the required safety and performance test criteria. EPA will only add models
to its Qualifying Product List after reviewing and approving the product test results;
•	for each model and/or family of qualified decorative light strings, provide to EPA product packaging
samples (preferably electronic pictures for the specific models(s)) to certify that the decorative light
string meets the packaging requirements. EPA will only add models to the Qualifying Product List
after review and approval of the product packaging.
•	provide to EPA, on an annual basis, unit shipment data or other market indicators to assist in
determining the market penetration of ENERGY STAR. Specifically, Partner must submit the total
number of ENERGY STAR qualified decorative light strings 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
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in its product line, and percent of total unit shipments that qualify as ENERGY STAR. 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. If requested
under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), EPA will argue that the data is exempt. 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 decorative light strings
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:
•	consider energy efficiency improvements in company facilities and pursue the ENERGY STAR mark
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 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 ENERGY STAR qualified
product models;
•	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
labeled 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.
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