Oops. Audit points up vulnerabilities in Energy Star label approval process

There's a great story out today by the New York Times that suggests that the Energy Star label approval process might be vulnerable to fraudulent applications. The story reports that a nine-month-long secret government audit created four fictitious companies, which applied for Energy Star labels by submitting data sheets for, among other things, fake dehumidifiers and heat pumps. According to the story, most of the applications were approved without a challenge.

The good news is that Energy Star already has taken action to start gathering third-party verification for its labels and to check up on the claims of those who are using the designation. The concern that you and I should have is whether or not some technology suppliers will try to dupe us through the Energy Star brand. Time to be a bit more circumspect.