China raised Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Refrigerators

China adopts new world-leading refrigerator policy set to reduce 370 million tons of CO2 by 2040.

In May 2025, China issued new Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for refrigerators (GB 12021.2-2025), which will take effect on 1 June 2026. The revised MEPS significantly raises the minimum energy efficiency thresholds for mainstream refrigerators and freezers, tightening the requirements from Grade 5 (Total Energy Efficiency Index, TEEI: 90%) through to Grade 1+ (TEEI: 40%). This sets a globally leading benchmark for refrigerator energy performance. The new MEPS is projected to reduce cumulative CO₂ emissions by 370 million tons by 2040.

This represents a major policy achievement for CLASP’s China program in 2025. CLASP contributed to this outcome by providing evidence-based studies that helped initiate China’s MEPS revision process, as well as delivering technical assistance on international best practices, comprehensive market analysis, and targeted policy recommendations.

The updated MEPS also expands the product scope to include semiconductor refrigerators and introduces new features. One is the Volume Utilization Rate (VUR), used to calculate adjusted volume. Another is the Correction Coefficient for Smart Grid Signal Response Function (SG), which grants a 5% allowance for smart refrigerators equipped with grid-interactive capabilities. These additions are designed to incentivize advancements in high-efficiency insulation technologies and smart grid-compatible refrigerators. For all refrigerators excluding semiconductor models, the Total Energy Efficiency Index (TEEI) will now serve as the sole metric for energy efficiency.