What is a BEE star rating, how is it decided, and when does it change?

The BEE Regulations define "star rating or star level" as the level of energy performance shown on an appliance's label, based on the notification the Central Government issues for that appliance under section 14(a) of the Energy Conservation Act^[1]. More stars means lower energy use for the same size or capacity.

Two related terms appear on every label:

• Label series: the validity period of the energy performance standard the model was rated on^[1].
• Endorsement label: a mark assuring that the appliance meets the minimum energy performance standards of its rating system^[1].

A full set of model data. The label must show the appliance name, brand, model number, energy performance parameter, label series, rated capacity, star level or endorsement, country of origin, the BEE logo and any appliance-specific details^[5]. Every labelled unit must carry a QR code embedding those particulars, and the label must appear at online and offline points of sale^[5]. Revised label designs apply from 1 July 2026, with no fresh approval needed for models already approved^[7].

For fridges, water heaters, TVs, washing machines and room ACs, the label is a self-adhesive one fixed on the front of each appliance^[1]. Retail boxes also carry the Legal Metrology declarations on the principal display panel, and the product itself needs its BIS Standard Mark where a QCO applies.

Mandatory appliances must be labelled; voluntary ones may be. The label fee is paid per unit produced or imported.

No. Each appliance has its own metric and its own table, so stars only compare like with like. A colour TV is rated on annual energy consumption against screen area^[2], while a storage water heater is rated on standing losses over 24 hours at a given capacity^[3]. A 5-star TV and a 5-star geyser have met two unrelated tests.

Even within one appliance, compare only labels from the same label series. A 4-star model on a newer, tougher table can use less energy than a 5-star model rated on an older one^[13].

An endorsement label carries no star count. The 2026 Regulations define it as a mark assuring that the appliance meets the minimum energy performance standards of its rating system^[1]. Stars grade performance in levels; an endorsement simply says the product passes. Both need BEE's prior written permission before they are fixed to a product^[5].

Any company that makes, sells or imports a mandatory (Schedule A) appliance must register with BEE^[5], and no BEE label, mandatory or voluntary, may be applied without BEE's permission^[5]. Mandatory appliances include refrigerators, room ACs, ceiling fans, storage water heaters, TVs, washing machines and LED lamps^[5]. Laptops, microwave ovens and pedestal fans are voluntary^[5]. Importers and brand owners can register on the portal directly^[14], and each brand counts as a separate company^[15]. See the full list.

Each appliance has its own metric and table. Two examples from current notifications:

Through the BEE Star Label portal, step by step. The portal guide is on BEE star label portal.

An importer brings in 20,000 ceiling fans across three models in its first year, as a non-small-scale company.

Rs 3 lakh of that is a deposit, refunded within 30 days of permanently ceasing manufacture^[1]. Lab testing is extra. The same maths for 5,000 split ACs gives label fees of Rs 1,50,000 at Rs 30 each^[1].

The same model usually drops a star. When standards are revised, the permittee must submit a self-declaration within 60 days of the notification, or before the label series ends, confirming use of the revised labels^[1], and production under the expired standard must stop^[1].

Recent examples: the colour TV table moved up one star from 1 January 2025, with continuing models charged Rs 1,000 and fresh models Rs 2,000^[13]; storage water heaters moved up one star from 1 July 2026, and unconverted models were deactivated after 20 July 2026^[18]. LED lamps follow from 1 January 2027^[11].

Under Table 3.5, valid 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027, the 5-star limit for standing losses is 0.241 kWh/24h for 6 L, 0.302 for 10 L and 0.346 for 15 L^[3].

Model B gets a lower star level from the same table. Do not print stars from a supplier's brochure: the rating is what BEE approves for that model.

• Tables expire. Split AC tables run to 31 December 2027 and window AC tables to 31 December 2029^[4]; refrigerator and ceiling fan tables run to 31 December 2028^[8].
• Tables get tougher. When BEE upgrades a table, a model keeps its approval only by moving to the new table, often at a lower star level. Colour TVs were upgraded by one star from 1 January 2025^[13], and storage water heaters from 1 July 2026^[18].
• Cost. Rs 5,000 per model registration^[5] plus a per-unit label fee, such as Rs 2 for a ceiling fan^[1]. Renewal on a revised table is free^[5].
• Display. The label must show the star level and label series, carry a QR code and appear at online and offline points of sale^[5].

• Printing an expired label series. Once revised standards take effect, production under the old standard must stop^[1].
• Failing a check test. BEE can publish the failure, order stock withdrawal and correction of the star level on labels^[1].
• Overstating stars online. BEE checks e-commerce listings and can have models de-registered^[5].

Through check tests, deposits and penalties. BEE may buy samples from factories, shops or online platforms^[1]. If a first check test fails, a second test runs on twice the quantity in two labs at the permittee's cost; on final failure BEE publishes the details and can order stock withdrawal and label correction^[5]. An unexplained label violation leads to forfeit of the security deposit and a one-year suspension of the model^[5]. Section 26 of the Energy Conservation Act provides a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh, plus up to Rs 10,000 a day for continuing failures^[6].

• Label series: the validity period printed on every label (see above).
• Indian Standard: the test standards behind many tables.
• ISI mark: the separate safety mark many rated appliances also need.
• HS code: useful for spotting which approvals apply at import.

Read the full BEE star label guide and the list of BEE products. To see every approval an appliance needs, try the approval checker or ask for a free compliance check.