First UL Environment Certification Awarded to Samsung

Sustainability Certifications for Televisions Set Bar for Environmental Leadership ATLANTA, Dec. 12, 2012 - UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), announces today that it has certified the Samsung 55" LED Television, 46" LED Television to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1680.3 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Televisions. These Samsung television models are the first to achieve UL's sustainable product certification to IEEE 1680.3. "This landmark accomplishment by Samsung provides other television manufacturers with a leadership model to continue to improve products to meet and exceed marketplace sustainability demands," said Sara Greenstein, president of UL Environment. Products that achieve certification to IEEE standards are assessed and audited for a wide range of environmental criteria. These criteria include: environmentally sensitive materials and materials selection, design for end of life, product longevity/life cycle extension, energy conservation, end-of-life management, corporate performance, and packaging. The Samsung 55" LED Television and 46" LED Television have attained Gold level certification, indicating that both products have achieved the highest level of environmental performance recognized by IEEE 1680.3, meeting all required criteria and a minimum of 75% of available optional criteria points. "The electronics industry is evolving at an unparalleled rate, largely due to consumer preference, energy regulations, and corporate sustainability practices. Companies like Samsung are rising to the challenge to lessen the environmental impacts typically associated with these products," said Greenstein. "UL Environment helps manufacturers make and market more sustainable products. We have the expertise to propel them forward, and are pleased to support Samsung in these achievements." UL provides the scientific expertise required to conduct readiness assessment, testing, and certification to the IEEE suite of standards. As a global Product Registration Entity (or PRE) for EPEAT®, a North American environmental rating system for electronics, UL may also assist manufacturers with registering products to the central EPEAT registry. "We are proud that these Samsung televisions are being recognized by UL," said Hyogun Lee, senior vice president of Samsung Electronics Visual display Business. "Achieving UL's sustainable product certification shows our customers that Samsung is dedicated to delivering environmentally preferable products that do not compromise performance or functionality." For more information on UL's turnkey services related to EPEAT registration and certification to IEEE 1680 standards, click here. About UL Environment UL Environment works to advance global sustainability, environmental health, and safety by supporting the growth and development of environmentally preferable products, services, and organizations. It helps companies achieve their sustainability goals – and meanwhile helps purchasers, specifiers, retailers, governments, and consumers find products they can trust. UL Environment offers environmental claim validations, multi-attribute product certifications, environmental product declarations, indoor air quality certification, product emissions testing, organizational sustainability certification, and consulting. For more information, visit www.ul.com/environment. About UL UL is a premier global independent safety science company with more than 118 years of history. Employing more than 10,000 professionals with customers in over 100 countries, UL has five distinct business units – Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Knowledge Services, and Verification Services – to meet the expanding needs of our customers and to deliver on our public safety mission. For more information on UL's family of companies and network of 95 laboratory, testing, and certification facilities, go to UL.com. SOURCE UL Environment

Melvin Wylie

Congress Passes Bill To Create Uniform Water Heater Energy Efficiency Ratings

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 7, 2012 - Congress has passed legislation establishing a uniform energy efficiency descriptor that applies to all residential water heaters sold in the U. S. The measure now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. The bill, also known as the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act (H. R. 6582) was passed unanimously in the Senate yesterday. The legislation was approved overwhelmingly by a 398-2 vote earlier this week in the House of Representatives. In addition to applying a consistent rating system for all water heaters, the bill will require the Department of Energy to develop a test method to accurately determine the descriptor for all types of water heaters including new advanced technologies introduced over the last several years. "Passage of this legislation will help reduce the confusion that consumers face when attempting to determine the energy efficiency of the water heater they intend to purchase," Paul W. Jones, chairman and chief executive officer of A. O. Smith Corporation, commented. "Once the bill becomes law, consumers will be able to make more informed decisions by comparing the efficiency of the entire range of water heaters that are on the market. It will make it easier for them to obtain available incentives that are based on an appliance's energy efficiency." "It's also important to understand this legislation supports our national clean energy goals by promoting the use of high efficiency water heaters that reduce energy consumption and therefore reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Jones continued. A. O. Smith was a member of a coalition of affected industry representatives, leading energy advocate groups, and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) that worked with members of Congress on the legislation. A bipartisan group of senators and representatives were instrumental in securing passage of the legislation. Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Bob Corker (R-TN) were sponsors of the original Senate bill that became the basis for the final legislation. Supporting the measure were Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), andDebbie Stabenow (D-MI). In the House, Representatives Jim Cooper (D-TN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) co-authored the original bill that was incorporated, in its entirety, into the final version of the H. R. 6582 legislation. Representative Phil Roe (R-TN) was a co-sponsor of H. R. 6582 along with Representative Ron Kind (D-WI). Blackburn and Roe both spoke on the floor of the House in support of the bill. Representatives Diane Black (R-TN) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) also were supporters of the bill. The uniform energy efficiency descriptor replaces a standard that is more than 20 years old that created two sets of energy efficiency measures for water heaters. When the original standards were put in place, smaller water heaters were rated using an "energy factor," while larger units were rated based on "thermal efficiency." Adding to the confusion, each of the two ratings required its own testing methodology, and manufacturers were not allowed to substitute ratings on different water heater models. Advances in water heater technology and improved efficiency testing methods combined to make the older standard obsolete. SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation

Melvin Wylie