United for Efficiency (U4E), part of UNEP, has published an Electric Motors Systems Policy Guide (PG) and Model Regulation Guidelines (MRG) to assist developing countries and emerging economies transform their markets to adopting energy-efficient electric motor systems.

The MRG provide ready templates to set minimum efficiency performance standards (MEPS) for (a) motors, (b) variable speed drives, (c) industrial fans, (d) rotodynamic water pumps for pumping clean water, and (e) air compressor packages. All key elements needed for this type of regulation are included: (i) definitions, (ii) scope, (iii) performance requirements, (iv) product information requirements, (v) applicable test methods and (vi) compliance criteria. The MRG are adaptable to country circumstances, including more stringent MEPS equivalent to current international best practices for countries that do not have a significant domestic manufacturing industry and less stringent MEPS as start for other countries that have a significant domestic manufacturing industry to provide (limited) transitional time for upgrading technology.

The Policy Guide provides a step-by-step approach for implementing energy efficiency policies while highlighting global best practices and providing example cases; Highlighting 3 routes: 1) for improving the efficiency of new equipment with (a) the development and implementation of mandatory MEPS and providing in (b) monitoring, verification and enforcement; 2) for improving the efficiency of the installed base through (c) supporting policies such as accelerating motor replacements, and motor management and utility DSM programs; and, 3) through overarching policies e.g. (d) communications & awareness building, training & capacity building including M&V, voluntary agreements, energy performance targets, energy management, energy audits; (e) Finance and delivery mechanisms, (f) Environmentally sound management using circularity principles.