Upcoming event: National Top Runner Initiative launch in Berlin

Washing machines, ovens or televisions: the range of high-quality, energy-saving appliances is growing. The NTRI involves both retailers and manufacturers so that consumers purchase "Top Runner" appliances even more often in the future. The kick-off takes place on 14th June in Berlin.

Nearly seven million televisions are sold in German per year, a refrigerator can be found in more than 99 percent of the country’s approximately 40 million households – in addition, there are a number of further electric appliances that spend hours each day connected to the network. There is an enormous potential for energy savings here, if and when as many households as possible switch to particularly efficient electric appliances.  To reach this goal, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) initiated the "National Top Runner Initiative" (NTRI).

On 14th June, State Secretary Rainer Baake will publically kick off the NTRI at a conference in Berlin. The event gives representatives of the retail sector, consumer organisations, and manufacturers the opportunity to get involved in designing the initiative. The conference will also feature three workshop discussions in which the BMWi would like to discuss how all parties involved can contribute to the NTRI’s success.

Kick-off Event of the National Top Runner Initiative (NTRI)
14th June 2016, 12 PM to 4 PM
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)
Scharnhorststraße 34-37, 10115 Berlin
(Entrance at Invalidenstraße 48)

The number of participants is limited, registration with the conference secretariat required (E-Mail: konferenzntri [dot] de (konferenz[at]ntri[dot]de)). Further information on the event can be found here.

Background of the NTRI: Increasing the market share of energy efficient appliances

The National Top Runner Initiative is directed equally at consumers, retail, and manufacturers of efficient appliances. The NTRI provides consumers with tips on energy efficiency and motivates them to make conscious decisions in favour of Top Runner appliances, and to use them sparingly. The initiative supports retailers in targeting consumers to convince them of the advantages of energy efficient appliances and in promoting the sale of Top Runner products. The initiative also motivates manufacturers to continuously develop even more energy-saving Top Runner products and to bring them to market.

The NTRI is an important building block in the government’s National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NAPE) and should contribute to the success of the energy transition. The initiative is a central component of the BMWi’s umbrella campaign "Germany makes it efficient". More information on the NTRI can be found here.