[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/Australia GEMS Energy Efficiency AustraliaNew ZealandEnergy guide # Australia GEMS: Energy Efficiency Registration and Labelling for Appliances The Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act 2012 makes energy performance registration mandatory for regulated product categories sold in Australia and New Zealand. Regulated products must meet MEPS thresholds, carry the Energy Rating Label, and be registered with the GEMS Regulator before they can legally be supplied — with civil penalties for non-compliance enforced by the Regulator's market surveillance team. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Faustralia-gems-energy-efficiency) At a glance Act GEMS Act 2012 Coverage Australia + New Zealand Label Energy Rating Label (star rating) Regulator GEMS Regulator (Dept of Climate) ## GEMS framework ### GEMS Act 2012 and mandatory scope The Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act 2012 establishes minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) and energy labelling requirements for regulated appliances and equipment sold in Australia and New Zealand. Products in regulated categories cannot be legally supplied unless they meet the applicable GEMS Determinations and are registered with the GEMS Regulator. ### Regulated product categories GEMS Determinations cover a wide range of product categories including air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, televisions, monitors, set-top boxes, external power supplies, lighting (LEDs and fluorescent), electric motors, and commercial refrigeration. Each Determination specifies the MEPS level and labelling format for that category. ### Energy rating label Many regulated product categories require the Energy Rating Label — the familiar star-rating label — to be displayed on the product before sale. The label shows the energy star rating (higher stars = more efficient) and the annual energy consumption in kWh. The label design and calculation methodology are specified in the relevant GEMS Determination, and labels must be generated using the official E3 energy rating calculator. ### GEMS registration process Before a regulated product can be supplied in Australia, the responsible supplier must register it in the GEMS Product Registration database. Registration requires test reports from accredited laboratories demonstrating compliance with the applicable MEPS, plus the calculated energy rating and label file. Registration is product-model-specific — each distinct model requires its own registration entry. ## Registration process 01 Determine whether your product falls under a GEMS Determination by checking the list of regulated categories on the GEMS Regulator website — if your product category has a Determination, GEMS compliance is mandatory before supply. 02 Obtain the applicable GEMS Determination for your product category, which specifies the energy performance test standard (typically an AS/NZS or IEC standard), the MEPS threshold, and labelling requirements. 03 Arrange testing at an accredited laboratory against the test standard specified in the Determination — Australian test labs accredited by NATA, or overseas ILAC-accredited labs, are accepted depending on the Determination. 04 Use the official E3 energy rating calculator to generate the star rating and annual energy consumption figure, which drives the Energy Rating Label artwork. 05 Generate the Energy Rating Label using the E3 label generator and confirm the label meets the Determination's format, size, and placement requirements for your product category. 06 Register the product in the GEMS Product Registration database via the online portal — submit the test report, energy rating, label file, and product and supplier details; retain your registration number. 07 Apply the Energy Rating Label to the product or its packaging before sale in Australia, and update the registration if the product is modified in ways that affect energy performance. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does GEMS also apply in New Zealand? Yes — GEMS is a joint Australia-New Zealand scheme. Products regulated under GEMS must meet the same MEPS and labelling requirements for sale in both markets, and registration in the GEMS database covers both countries. This is coordinated through the trans-Tasman E3 program. ### What is MEPS and what happens if a product fails? MEPS (Minimum Energy Performance Standards) are the minimum efficiency thresholds a product must meet to be legally supplied under GEMS. A product that fails to meet the applicable MEPS threshold cannot be registered and cannot be legally sold in Australia. GEMS Regulator market surveillance includes testing of in-market products and can result in fines, recall, and mandatory withdrawal from sale for non-compliant products. ### Are there any exemptions or exclusions from GEMS? GEMS Determinations typically exclude products manufactured for export only, products below a certain power rating (varies by category), and prototypes or R&D units not for commercial sale. The exclusions are set in each Determination — do not assume an exclusion applies without checking the specific Determination for your product category. ### What is the penalty for supplying an unregistered regulated product? Supplying a regulated product without GEMS registration is a civil penalty offence under the GEMS Act. Penalties for corporations are substantial — up to thousands of penalty units per contravention. The GEMS Regulator publishes enforcement actions, and repeat non-compliance attracts higher penalties. The Regulator can also issue infringement notices for less serious contraventions. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. GEMS Determinations are updated periodically and MEPS levels change. Consult the GEMS Regulator's official resources or a qualified energy compliance engineer before registering products for the Australian market. 🇦🇺 Australia roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇦🇺 Australia compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/46-australia-gems-energy-labeling-appliances-led-lighting)[Prefer to read? 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