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Commonwealth act
The Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act 2012 is Australia's national framework for setting minimum energy efficiency rules for products that use electricity or affect how much energy other products use. Think of it as the law behind the Energy Rating labels you see on fridges, washing machines, air conditioners, TVs, and similar appliances.
Product Registration: Before a product model can be sold in Australia, the manufacturer or importer must register it on the GEMS Register. Registration lasts 5 years and must be renewed.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012.
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Minimum Standards (GEMS Determinations): The Minister can issue rules (called "GEMS determinations") setting minimum energy efficiency or greenhouse gas emission limits for specific product categories. Standards can cover energy use, emissions, labelling, and even health/environmental impacts.
Energy Labels: Products must carry standardised labels (like the star rating stickers) that allow consumers to compare energy efficiency across products.
Enforcement: Government inspectors ("GEMS inspectors") can enter shops, purchase products for testing, and investigate compliance. Businesses that break the rules face:
Two tiers of products: Products are classified as either Category A (lower energy impact) or Category B (higher energy impact, e.g., large commercial refrigeration). Category B violations carry double the penalty.
This law is Australia's main tool for driving down energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from everyday products. It also gives effect to Australia's commitments under international climate agreements (the Paris Agreement and the UN Climate Change Convention). States and Territories can set stricter rules than the federal minimums, but not weaker ones.
If you're a business selling or importing energy-using products in Australia, this law is non-negotiable. Get your products registered, make sure they meet the standards, and put the right labels on them — or you could face significant fines, even if the non-compliance was accidental.