MoU Signed Between NTH and BEE to Strengthen Energy Efficiency Standards

New Delhi: A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the National Test House (NTH), Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power. The collaboration aims to bolster the Standards & Labelling (S&L) Program, a key initiative for promoting energy efficiency across India. The MoU was signed in the presence of Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, and Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power.

The agreement outlines several critical measures to enhance the S&L Program. Under the MoU, NTH will serve as a referral laboratory for BEE, handling technical disputes related to test results. In addition, NTH officers will be nominated to various BEE technical committees, given their expertise. NTH will also provide capacity-building training to BEE officers, helping improve the program’s effectiveness. Furthermore, the MoU includes a comprehensive review of BEE’s existing S&L program, including check-testing procedures, and outlines plans for addressing any other technical matters related to the scheme.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Nidhi Khare emphasized the importance of product reliability for consumers, stating, “Products should be designed not to fail but to last. This MoU will act as a stepping stone towards an enduring relationship between NTH and BEE, ensuring consumer rights are protected.”

Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, highlighted the role of BEE in providing star ratings for electrical appliances. He noted, “We need to ensure that industries receiving these star ratings continue to meet performance standards. Through this partnership with the Department of Consumer Affairs, we aim to enhance market surveillance and ensure dependable testing.”

This collaboration between NTH and BEE is expected to support sustainable development by promoting energy conservation, reducing electricity usage, and cutting carbon footprints—key steps in achieving India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

The MoU was signed by Milind Deore, Secretary of BEE, and Alok Kumar Srivastava, Director General of NTH.

Established in 1912, NTH is India’s largest multidisciplinary testing laboratory, providing technical consultancy, testing, calibration, and quality evaluation services across sectors. BEE, founded in 2002, has been instrumental in shaping energy conservation policies and strategies aimed at reducing the energy intensity of India’s economy and promoting sustainable development.