Energy Conservation Act, 2001 as amended by Act No. 28 of 2010 (India)

The Energy Conservation Act creates the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The functions and powers of the Bureau include:

• Recommending to the Central Government the norms for processes and energy consumption standards.
• Recommend to the Central Government the particulars required to be displayed on labels of equipment or on appliances.
• Take suitable steps to prescribe guidelines for energy conservation building codes.
• Promote research and development in the field of energy conservation.
• Develop testing and certification procedure.
• Promote testing facilities for certification, and testing for energy consumption of equipment and appliances. 

It is also empowered to promote use of energy efficient processes, equipment, devices and systems, promote innovative financing of energy efficiency projects, give financial assistance to institutions for promoting efficient use of energy and its conservation, levy fees, as may be determined by regulations, for services provided for promoting efficient use of energy and its conservation. It also empowers the Central Government, in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, to enforce efficient use of energy and its conservation. It also provides for the payment of penalties for violations of the Act and the adjudication and appellate process for such cases. It also empowers the Central Government or State Government to exempt any designated consumer or class thereof from application of all or any of the provisions of the Act, if the government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do in the public interest.