ENERGY STAR is an international symbol recognizing above average energy efficiency. Products that display the ENERGY STAR symbol have been tested according to prescribed procedures and have been found to meet or exceed higher than standard energy efficiency levels without compromising performance. The ENERGY STAR symbol can be used by manufacturers to market qualified appliances.

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) is an association of U.S. and Canadian efficiency program administrators who work together on approaches to advancing efficiency. Through its Super Efficient Home Appliances Initiative, the CEE takes information on energy and water use provided by manufacturers and classifies appliances in Tiers 1 to 3, Tier 3 machines being the most efficient.

European Union Energy labels, required by law on appliances sold in the European Union, rate the energy efficiency of an appliance from class A to G, A being the most energy efficient and G the least. The labels also include other info, such as noise and performance specs, to help inform consumers’ choice . Canadian consumers may find the EU energy label on appliances imported from Europe.

High Efficiency (HE) laundry detergents are concentrated, low-sudsing detergents recommended by manufacturers for use in low water, high-efficiency washers. If regular detergents are used in front-loading and high-efficiency washers, the presence of too many suds can ‘confuse’ washing cycles, cause delays and make proper rinsing of clothes difficult.

Kosher Certified: Certification in accordance with Kosher standards.

CSA Certified: The Canadian Standards Association is a not-for-profit membership-based association serving business, industry, government and consumers in Canada and the global marketplace.

RoHS: The European Directive on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) holds electrical and electronic equipment companies directly responsible for the chemical compliance of their products. This means all products must conform to strict standards, provide extensive compliance documentation, and ensure that electrical and electronic products sold in the EU do not contain lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) above the legal threshold. Manufacturers, owners, retailers, and importers alike need to ensure that their products comply in order to be distributed and sold in the EU.

EICC: The Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition was established in 2004 to promote a common code of conduct for the electronics, and information and communications technology (ICT) industry. EICC now includes more than 40 global ICT companies and their suppliers.

European Committee of Domestic Equipment Manufacturers: The EU energy label enables European consumers to compare the respective energy efficiency of various models of the same appliance family.  The EU labelling scheme also provides performance ratings which empower consumers to assess the necessary balance between energy consumption and the functional performance of an appliance.