ENERGY STAR Brand Owner UPC Submission System

UPC Codes for ENERGY STAR Models

To feature ENERGY STAR certified model sold at retail, retailers often need the UPC code, in addition to the number used for certification purposes, to match the models on the ENERGY STAR qualified product lists with their systems.

EPA is now making it easier to identify and feature ENERGY STAR certified models for consumers by requiring UPC codes for products sold at retail and showcasing them on UPC Code-based datasets and APIs. 

* Please note that the brand and model number continue to serve as the identifiers used to establish certification. The UPC code data aids in marketing efforts of ENERGY STAR models. If a UPC code for a unique configuration of a certified model is not available, it will continue to be recognized on the ENERGY STAR Certified Product Lists and Product Finder but may not be featured in all retail promotions.

Options for Providing UPC codes

  • Certification Bodies can provide UPC code data to EPA along with other certified product data and are required to provide a reason if not providing UPC data for select products.
  • Partners can provide UPC codes directly to EPA using the ENERGY STAR Brand Owner UPC Submission system. Any UPC codes provided by a partner for specific models will supersede UPC code data provided by a certification body for those models. Please see FAQs regarding partner submitted UPC data.

Requirements for UPC codes

UPC codes are required for new product certifications as of June 2021 for products sold in the US in the following product categories. In addition, partners are encouraged to provide UPC codes to EPA for existing certifications and for all other product categories where UPC codes are available with the exception of central air conditioners and air source heat pumps, insulation, and windows. UPC codes may not currently be submitted for these product types. There are no limits to the number of UPC codes that can be submitted, but EPA recommends that partners focus on the UPC codes that will be present in the retail space in the US market rather than providing an exhaustive list of codes for each unique certification.

While the UPC codes may be submitted via either system for new or existing certifications, partners will need to indicate to certifiers if they plan to submit directly to EPA for new certifications. Exceptions are available for products that are not assigned or do not yet have a UPC code.

  • Audio Video
  • Ceiling Fans
  • Clothes Washers
  • Clothes Dryers
  • Computers
  • Connected Thermostats
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Dishwashers
  • Downlights
  • Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
  • Freezers
  • Imaging
  • Lamps
  • Luminaires
  • Monitors
  • Pool Pumps
  • Refrigerators
  • Residential Electric Cooking Products
  • Room Air Conditioners
  • Room Air Cleaners
  • Vent Fans
  • Telephony
  • Televisions
  • Water Coolers

Exceptions

If the UPC code is not applicable for a certified model in one of these product categories, CBs will have options to indicate why they are not including the UPC code in the submission (e.g., product does not have a UPC code assigned, product not sold at retail, etc…). UPC codes are most applicable for models sold at retail. In other cases, products may not be assigned a UPC code or that UPC code may only be used in direct sales from the partner to the customer. Note that EPA does not expect partners to obtain UPC codes solely for the purposes of ENERGY STAR.

Please email Kathleen Vokes at vokes.kathleen@epa.gov with any questions about the systems for collecting UPC codes.