> If that is the case, then there should be no need for Energy Star, because manufacturers already have an incentive to increase efficiency due to customer dema

> If that is the case, then there should be no need for Energy Star, because manufacturers already have an incentive to increase efficiency due to customer demand. Energy Star is handy because it's a known quality with set standards. If there was no standard companies could start doing all sorts of marketing BS with meaningless numbers. With ES you know what you're getting and it's a apples-apples comparison. Same with dishwasher: Energy Star means some specific, and if a unit has a sticker than it's at (at least) the same level as another unit with the sticker. An OEM has now go above and beyond that in features. Contrast that with the MaP Test, which is voluntary in the toilet industry, which most manufacturers use if those it is voluntary: * https://map-testing.com/ https://map-testing.com/ If there was an ES-equivalent standard for laundry then perhaps Energy Star itself would not be needed at that point.