ENERGY STAR
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); to be transferred to the Department of Energy (DOE) from June 2026 / United States
Overview
Established by EPA in 1992 under the Clean Air Act, ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program that evaluates and certifies the energy efficiency of products and buildings. It covers more than 75 product categories, including appliances, office equipment, lighting, and HVAC, and awards the ENERGY STAR mark to products that rank among the top approximately 25% in energy efficiency performance. The mark is also incorporated into federal procurement standards (FAR) and underpins brand trust in the U.S. market.
In 2025, the Trump administration's budget proposal called for eliminating or privatizing the program, raising concerns within industry. However, following requests from over 1,000 companies and organizations, Congress passed and codified a $33 million budget for the program in January 2026, securing its continuation. Further, in March 2026, EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) signed a 10-year memorandum of agreement (MOA) to fully transfer administration of the program from EPA to DOE. Since June 2026, operations have been transitioning toward integration with the federal appliance standards program (EPCA) under DOE leadership.
Timeline
1992: The ENERGY STAR program is established under EPA administration
May 2025: EPA under the Trump administration considers eliminating or privatizing the program, prompting strong industry requests for its continuation
January 2026: Congress passes and mandates full execution of a $33 million ENERGY STAR budget
March 3, 2026: EPA and DOE sign a 10-year memorandum of agreement (MOA) transferring the program
June 2026: Full transfer of administration to DOE is completed following a 90-day transition period
Business Impact
For manufacturers shipping appliances, IT equipment, HVAC systems, and other products to the U.S. market, obtaining ENERGY STAR certification remains an essential sales requirement. While the program's continuation and confirmed budget provide institutional stability, companies should note that as administration transfers from EPA to DOE, the point of contact for certification procedures, database management, and standard updates will consolidate under DOE going forward.