The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the China Standard Certification Center have agreed to work toward harmonizing information on their respective energy-efficiency labels for consumer electronics and office equipment.

The agencies say labeling helps decrease energy consumption, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. China's rapid economic growth rate has been accompanied by large increases in energy demand. Improving the energy efficiency of common products will also help China meet its goal of reducing energy intensity 20 percent by 2010.

"EPA and CSC agree that saving energy, saving money, and protecting the environment just make sense," said Bill Wehrum, EPA acting assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. "EPA, through the Energy Star program, has been working to change the way America powers its homes and businesses for 15 years, and it is a privilege to share our time-tested approaches with China."

EPA says it has a long history of cooperation with China on clean air and clean energy issues, including voluntary energy efficiency labeling. With EPA's assistance on certification development, CSC has added 10 product categories to their certification and labeling program since 2001, including computers, monitors, televisions, office copiers, fax machines and external power supplies.