The Policy Pathways series is designed to guide policy makers on the essential steps in implementing policies from the 25 IEA Energy Efficiency Recommendations. This specific pathway aims to provide clear guidance to policymakers and relevant stakeholders on best practice compliance (through monitoring, verification and enforcement [MVE]) in end-use appliance and equipment standards and labelling (S&L) programmes.

The Policy Pathways series is designed for policy makers at all levels of government and other relevant stakeholders who seek
practical ways to develop, support, monitor or modify energy efficiency policies in their home country and abroad. The Pathways can also provide insight into the types of policies best adapted to the specific policy context(s) of different countries, so that each country derives the maximum benefit from energy efficiency improvements. The International Energy Agency (IEA), an autonomous agency, was established in November 1974. Its mandate is two-fold: to promote energy security amongst its member countries through collective response to physical disruptions in oil supply and to advise member countries on sound energy policy.

This document includes:

• A brief overview of monitoring, verification and enforcement in the context of S&L programmes.
• Evidence of the importance of monitoring, verification and enforcement within S&L programmes.
• A detailed set of critical elements necessary for successful monitoring, verification and enforcement.
• Two case studies showing practical applications of monitoring, verification and enforcement to technology types or within a country.
• Suggestions for sources of further information or inspiration

Drawing on experiences from practitioners operating within all stakeholder groups across appliance and equipment sectors, and over 30 years of global experience with monitoring, verification and enforcement in national programmes, this pathway proposes four stages in implementing effective monitoring, verification and enforcement programmes:

• Plan: programme managers should plan to integrate robust monitoring, verification and enforcement activities from the outset, which will prevent delay, waste and additional costs further down the line. They should involve experts from all stakeholder groups.
• Implement: programme managers should focus communications on informing and educating stakeholders about the change in the marketplace and their responsibilities. Compliance will increase when monitoring, verification and enforcement leads to widespread understanding of the purpose and benefits of S&L projects.
• Monitor: programme managers should support monitoring, verification and enforcement activities that enhance enforcement capabilities by expanding monitoring, verification and enforcement from general information collection to assessing how well most at-risk suppliers are meeting their responsibilities.
• Evaluate: programme managers should continually evaluate the goals of their programme and not shy away from enforcement actions where needed.

View the publication here: Monitoring, verification and reporting: Improving compliance within energy efficient programs.