[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/BEE Star Rating IndiaBEE / Energy # BEE Star Rating in India: Is It Compulsory? Mandatory List, Star Scale and Registration BEE star rating is compulsory in India for 17 appliance categories, including room ACs, refrigerators, TVs, washing machines, geysers, ceiling fans and LED lamps. For these, a valid Bureau of Energy Efficiency star label is a legal condition of sale and import. For about two dozen other products, such as microwaves, computers and pedestal fans, the label is voluntary. The scheme runs under the Energy Conservation Act 2001 and, since 1 January 2026, the BEE (Appliance Labelling and Compliance) Regulations, 2026. Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars, and the star tables are tightened every few years, so a label is a recurring obligation rather than a one-time registration. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fbee-star-rating) At a glance Mandatory categories (Oct 2026) 17 Star scale 1–5 stars Legal basis EC Act 2001 Next table changes 1 Jan 2027 ## Is BEE star rating compulsory? Mandatory vs voluntary BEE runs two kinds of scheme. In a **mandatory scheme**, every model sold or imported must be registered with BEE and carry the star label, and models below the 1-star threshold cannot be sold at all. In a **voluntary scheme**, labelling is optional and used as a selling point. Products move from voluntary to mandatory over time: ceiling fans did in 2023, and induction hobs will on 1 January 2027. Status Products (as of October 2026) Mandatory Room Air Conditioners (Fixed Speed and Variable Speed / Inverter); Room ACs: Cassette, Floor Standing Tower, Ceiling and Corner; Light Commercial Air Conditioners; Frost Free Refrigerators; Direct Cool Refrigerators; Deep Freezers; Colour Televisions; Ultra-High Definition (UHD) Televisions; Washing Machines (Semi-Automatic, Top Load, Front Load); Stationary Storage Type Electric Water Heaters (Geysers); Ceiling Fans; LED Lamps; Distribution Transformers; Chillers; Grid Connected Solar Inverters; Domestic LPG Stoves Mandatory from 1 Jan 2027 Induction Hobs Voluntary (examples) Side by Side / Multi Door Refrigerators; Pedestal Fans and Table / Wall Fans; Computers and Office Automation Products; Microwave Ovens; Evaporative Air Coolers; EV Chargers; General Purpose Industrial Motors; Submersible Pump Sets; Solar Water Heaters; Tyres; Air Compressors; Commercial Beverage Coolers Removed Tubular Fluorescent Lamps (discontinued from 1 July 2026) Source: mandatory and voluntary scheme lists on the BEE Standards and Labelling portal (beestarlabel.com). Lists change by notification, so check the portal on the day you plan testing. ## Mandatory BEE categories and what they are rated on ### Room Air Conditioners (Fixed Speed and Variable Speed / Inverter) Rated on: ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) Split and window units. A revised, tighter ISEER table applies from 1 January 2026, so a model that was 5-star in 2025 can drop a star with no change to the hardware. ### Room ACs: Cassette, Floor Standing Tower, Ceiling and Corner Rated on: ISEER Listed as its own mandatory scheme. Do not assume a split-AC registration covers these form factors. ### Light Commercial Air Conditioners Rated on: Energy efficiency ratio per the BEE schedule Larger packaged and commercial units that sit above the room AC capacity range. ### Frost Free Refrigerators Rated on: Annual energy consumption (kWh/year) against adjusted storage volume Revised star table in force from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028. Labels issued under the old table expired on 31 December 2025. ### Direct Cool Refrigerators Rated on: Annual energy consumption (kWh/year) against adjusted storage volume Same 2026 to 2028 table cycle as frost-free models. ### Deep Freezers Rated on: Energy consumption per BEE schedule Chest and upright freezers used in homes and retail. ### Colour Televisions Rated on: Annual energy consumption relative to screen area Covers mainstream LED/LCD sets. ### Ultra-High Definition (UHD) Televisions Rated on: Annual energy consumption relative to screen area 4K and above sit in a separate mandatory scheme from standard colour TVs. ### Washing Machines (Semi-Automatic, Top Load, Front Load) Rated on: Energy consumption per kg of wash load per cycle All three machine types are covered. ### Stationary Storage Type Electric Water Heaters (Geysers) Rated on: Standing heat loss Instant water heaters are not the same category. Check the scheme scope before testing. ### Ceiling Fans Rated on: Service value (air delivery in m³/min per watt) Mandatory since 1 January 2023. Revised star table in force from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028. ### LED Lamps Rated on: Luminous efficacy (lumens per watt) BEE has announced an upgraded star table effective 1 January 2027. ### Distribution Transformers Rated on: Total losses at 50% and 100% load BEE has announced an upgraded star table effective 1 January 2027. ### Chillers Rated on: Efficiency per BEE chiller schedule Commercial and industrial HVAC buyers increasingly specify star-rated chillers in tenders. ### Grid Connected Solar Inverters Rated on: Conversion efficiency per BEE schedule Relevant for rooftop solar importers and integrators. ### Domestic LPG Stoves Rated on: Thermal efficiency A non-electrical appliance on the mandatory list, which surprises many first-time applicants. ## The BEE star rating scale: 1 to 5 stars Every BEE star label uses the same 1 to 5 star scale, but the numbers behind each star are specific to the product and to the table period. A 5-star split AC and a 5-star refrigerator are measured on completely different metrics. The label also prints the measured energy value and the validity period of the table, which matter more than the star count when you compare models across years. Rating What it means 1 star Meets the minimum level allowed for sale in that table period. Least efficient labelled product. 2 to 4 stars Progressively better efficiency. Each band is a defined range of the product's energy metric. 5 stars Highest band in the current table. The most efficient products on the market for that category. Below 1 star Cannot be labelled, so for mandatory categories it cannot legally be sold. ## What changed in 2026 and what is coming in 2027 Change Date What it means for you BEE (Appliance Labelling and Compliance) Regulations, 2026 In force 1 January 2026 One consolidated rulebook for labelling, registration and enforcement, replacing several older product-by-product labelling regulations. Refrigerator (FFR, DCR) and ceiling fan star tables revised 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028 Old labels expired 31 December 2025. Existing models had to be moved to the new table or re-registered. Room AC ISEER table tightened 1 January 2026 Same ISEER value, fewer stars. Re-check the star you print on packaging and marketing. Tubular Fluorescent Lamps removed from mandatory list Discontinued from 1 July 2026 TFL labelling no longer applies; the market has moved to LED. Induction hobs become mandatory From 1 January 2027 Currently voluntary. Plan testing and registration before the date if you sell induction cooktops. LED lamp and distribution transformer star tables upgraded From 1 January 2027 Expect current ratings to slip. Budget for retesting where your margin over a star band is thin. ## How to get a BEE star label: registration steps 01 ### Confirm the scheme and current star table Check whether your product sits in a mandatory or voluntary scheme on the BEE S&L portal (beestarlabel.com). Download the current schedule for that scheme: it gives the test standard, the energy metric, the star bands and the period the table is valid for. 02 ### Register the company and brand on the S&L portal Before you can list a model, the manufacturer or brand owner registers on the BEE Standards and Labelling portal. Importers selling under their own brand register as the permittee and carry the compliance responsibility. 03 ### Test each model at an accredited lab Test to the standard named in the schedule at a NABL-accredited laboratory. Each model is registered separately, so variants with different compressors, motors or capacities usually need their own test report. 04 ### Work out the star rating from the test report Map the measured value (ISEER for ACs, annual kWh for refrigerators, service value for ceiling fans, lm/W for LED lamps) onto the current star table. Leave margin: BEE check tests market samples, and a result at the edge of a band is a risk. 05 ### Submit model registration and receive approval Upload the test report, technical details and a sample label. Once BEE approves, the model gets a registration and you may affix the label. 06 ### Print the label exactly to the BEE format Label size, colours, star graphic, energy values, validity period and the QR code must follow the BEE specification for that scheme. Do not redesign or recolour it to match your branding. 07 ### Pay label fees and track table changes Label fees are payable periodically under the 2026 Regulations, based on units labelled. Each time a star table is revised, existing models must be moved to the new table or they lose the right to carry a label. ## What happens if you sell without a valid label Section 26 of the Energy Conservation Act, as substituted by the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022, sets the penalty for breaching Section 14(c) and (d), the clauses behind mandatory standards and labelling: **ten lakh rupees, plus an additional two thousand to five thousand rupees for every non-compliant appliance**. On a container of 2,000 unlabelled fans, the per-unit element alone is ₹40 lakh to ₹1 crore on top of the base penalty. The 2026 Regulations add administrative tools on top: BEE can lift samples from factories and the market for check testing, suspend or cancel model registrations, require withdrawal of non-compliant stock, and have listings removed from e-commerce platforms. For a brand, losing a registration mid-season is usually more expensive than the fine. ## Common mistakes we see ### Treating registration as one-and-done Star tables run for fixed periods. When the refrigerator and ceiling fan tables changed on 1 January 2026, every label issued under the old table expired on 31 December 2025. ### Registering one model and labelling the whole range Registration is per model. A different compressor, motor or capacity is a different model in BEE's eyes. ### Confusing BEE with BIS A BIS licence or CRS registration does not give you a star label, and a star label does not replace BIS. Many appliances need both. ### Rating right at a band edge If your test result scrapes into 4 stars, a check test sample with normal production variation may come in at 3. Design for margin. ### Ignoring online listings E-commerce listings are monitored under the 2026 Regulations. The star rating and label shown online must match the registered model. Prefer it in 75 seconds? Watch the [BEE star label short](/shorts/bee-star-label-india). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is BEE star rating compulsory or not? It depends on the product. BEE star labelling is compulsory for products in the mandatory schemes, which as of October 2026 include room air conditioners (fixed and variable speed, plus cassette, tower, ceiling and corner units), light commercial ACs, frost-free and direct-cool refrigerators, deep freezers, colour and UHD televisions, washing machines, storage electric water heaters, ceiling fans, LED lamps, distribution transformers, chillers, grid-connected solar inverters and domestic LPG stoves. Induction hobs join the mandatory list from 1 January 2027. For around two dozen other products, such as microwave ovens, computers, pedestal fans and motors, the label is voluntary. ### What is the range of the BEE star rating scale? The BEE star rating scale runs from 1 to 5 stars. 1 star is the least efficient labelled product and 5 stars is the most efficient. A product that cannot reach 1 star under the current table cannot be labelled, so in a mandatory category it cannot be sold. ### What does the 5 star BEE symbol mean in India? A 5 star BEE label means the model sits in the highest efficiency band of the star table that is valid for that product right now. It is a relative rating, not a fixed number: when BEE tightens a table, a model can drop from 5 stars to 4 without any change to the product. Always read the label's validity period alongside the stars. ### What is the difference between BEE star label and BIS CRS for the same product? They answer different questions. BIS certification (the ISI mark under a BIS licence, or the Standard Mark under CRS for electronics) covers safety and quality against Indian Standards. The BEE star label covers energy efficiency. A refrigerator, ceiling fan or LED lamp typically needs both, and they are separate applications with separate regulators. ### Can I import and sell an appliance without a BEE star label? Not if it falls in a mandatory scheme. Under Section 14(c) of the Energy Conservation Act 2001 the government can prohibit the manufacture, sale, purchase or import of notified appliances that do not meet the energy consumption standards, and Section 14(d) requires the label to be displayed. Under Section 26 as substituted by the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022, non-compliance with those clauses attracts a penalty of ten lakh rupees plus an additional penalty of between two thousand and five thousand rupees per non-compliant appliance. For voluntary categories, selling without a label is legal. ### How long is a BEE star label valid? The label is tied to the star table in force for that product, and the validity period is printed on the label itself. When a table expires, the label expires with it. For example, refrigerator and ceiling fan labels issued under the old tables expired on 31 December 2025, and the new tables run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2028. ### Does BEE star rating apply to products assembled in India using imported components? Yes. The obligation attaches to the finished product sold in India, not to where its parts came from. The brand owner or manufacturer that places the product on the market holds the BEE registration. ### How often are BEE star rating thresholds revised? There is no fixed interval, but major categories are typically revised every two to three years. Each table is published with a validity period, and BEE notifies the next table in advance so manufacturers can retest and move existing models across. Room ACs, refrigerators and ceiling fans all changed on 1 January 2026, and LED lamps and distribution transformers are due on 1 January 2027. **Disclaimer:** BEE star rating thresholds and mandatory product schedules are revised periodically. This page reflects the position as of 6 October 2026. Always verify the current star table, its validity period and mandatory scheme status on the BEE Standards and Labelling portal (beestarlabel.com) and in the latest Gazette notification before testing. 🇮🇳 India 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 🇮🇳 India 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/20-bee-energy-labeling-star-rating-electronics)[Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/20-bee-energy-labeling-star-rating-electronics) Related guides * [BIS CRS Certification for ElectronicsComplete guide to BIS CRS registration for electronics and IT products: application process, required documents, test reports, …](/guides/bis-crs-certification-electronics) * [BIS Certification for LED Lamps and LuminairesComplete guide to BIS CRS certification for LED lamps, LED luminaires, and LED drivers in India: IS 16102 standard requirements…](/guides/bis-certification-for-led-lights) * [India Product Labeling RequirementsComprehensive guide to India product labeling requirements: mandatory fields under Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules…](/guides/india-product-labeling-requirements) * [India Market Entry for Hardware CompaniesPractical regulatory roadmap for hardware companies entering India: BIS CRS, WPC ETA, TEC MTCTE, EPR, and customs requirements …](/guides/india-market-entry-hardware)