Household Sector

About Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme and Minimum Energy Performance Standards

Consumer Advisory

Consumers must only purchase NEA-registered appliances found within NEA's Database of Registered Goods. We need the public's support to report any regulated goods that do not have the Energy Label or are not registered to NEA_energylabel@nea.gov.sg.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to look out for Energy Labels, which help consumers identify more energy efficient appliances, when purchasing household air-conditioners, refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions, or lamps, in any local physical shops or from online shopping platforms.
 

Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) was introduced for regulated goods to help consumers compare the energy efficiency and make more informed purchasing decisions. The objective of setting Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) is to raise the average energy efficiency of regulated goods in the market.

Any importer and manufacturer that intends to supply any regulated goods in Singapore, on or after the effective date of those goods, must apply to the National Environment Agency (NEA) to be a registered supplier. The registered supplier must also register the regulated goods before supplying the goods in Singapore.

With effect from 1 July 2026, end user (individual or company) who import regulated goods for own use are required to register with NEA before importing them. Prior to registration, individuals and company should ensure that the regulated goods that they intend to purchase and import into Singapore meet the Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) requirements.


Under Part III Division 1 of the Energy Conservation  Act (Cap. 92C), a person must not supply and/or import regulated goods in Singapore, on or after the effective date of the requirements prescribed under the Act, unless the goods comply with the requirements prescribed. 

 

The regulations governing these requirements are:

 

Overview of MELS and MEPS Implementation (2008 to present)

ApplianceMELSMEPS
Air-Conditioners












  • MELS implemented on 1 Jan 2008
  • MELS/MEPS extended to large capacity inverter air-conditioners on 1 Sep 2013
  • Revised energy rating system for MELS implemented on 1 Sep 2014
  • MEPS implemented on 1 Sep 2011 (old 2-tick level)
  • Tightened MEPS implemented on 1 Sep 2013 (old 3-tick level)
  • MEPS raised on 1 Sep 2016 for single- and multi-split air-conditioners (current 2-tick level)
  • MEPS for casement and window air-conditioners raised to 2-tick on 1 Jan 2022
  • MEPS for split-type air-conditioners raised by seven per cent (7%) within the 2-tick level on 1 Jan 2022
  • MEPS for single-split air-conditioners raised to 4-tick on 1 Apr 2025
  • MEPS for multi-split air-conditioners raised to 5-tick on 1 Apr 2025
Portable Air-Conditioners (PAC) 
  • MELS implemented on 1 Apr 2024
  • MEPS implemented on 1 Apr 2024
Refrigerators
  • MELS implemented on 1 Jan 2008
  • Revised energy rating system for MELS implemented on 1 Sep 2014
  • MEPS implemented on 1 Sep 2011 (old 2-tick level)
  • Tightened MEPS implemented on 1 Sep 2013 (old 3-tick level)
  • MEPS raised on 1 Dec 2017 for refrigerators with freezer and an adjusted volume of up to 300L (raised by 5%), and for all other refrigerator categories (raised by 13%)
  • MEPS for all refrigerators raised to 2-tick level on 1 Jan 2022
  • MEPS for all refrigerators raised to 3-tick on 1 Apr 2025
Clothes Dryers
  • MELS implemented on 1 Apr 2009
  • Revised energy rating system for MELS implemented on 1 Sep 2014
  • MEPS implemented on 1 Apr 2014 (old 3-tick level)
  • MEPS for clothes dryers raised to 2-tick on 1 Jan 2022
Televisions 
  • MELS implemented on 1 Apr 2014
  • MEPS implemented on 1 Apr 2024 for non-8K TV at 4-tick
  • MEPS implemented on 1 Apr 2025 for 8K TV at 3-tick
General Lighting
  • MELS implemented on 1 Jul 2015
  • MELS was extended to common CFLni and linear fluorescent tubes, and their LED direct replacements on 1 Nov 2019
  • MELS/MEPS extended to all T8 and T5 linear fluorescent and LED tubes on 1 Apr 2024
  • Revised Energy Label and MELS rating system on 1 Apr 2024
  • MEPS set at 1-tick level for incandescent lamps, 2-tick level for CFLi and LED lamps on 1 Jul 2015
  • MEPS was raised for incandescent lamps on 1 Nov 2019
  • MEPS was introduced for fluorescent lamp ballasts on 1 Nov 2019
  • Revised MEPS on 1 Apr 2024.
Water Heater
  • MELS implemented on 1 Apr 2025
Three-Phase VRF Air-Conditioners
  • MELS implemented on 1 Apr 2021
  • MEPS implemented on 1 Apr 2021
Three-Phase Induction Motors  
  • MEPS implemented on 1 Oct 2018
Commercial Storage Refrigerators
  • MELS implemented on 1 Apr 2025

If you have any enquiries on MELS and MEPS, you can reach us at:
Tel: 6731-9952 / 6731-9739
Email: nea_energylabel@nea.gov.sg