There is a significant global effort underway to reduce energy consumption in industry by improving energy efficiency, specifically the efficiency of electric motor systems. 

The initial focus was on the efficiency of individual elements, e.g. the motor, which resulted in the IE efficiency classes for motors - IE2, IE3 etc. It is now understood that greater efficiency gains are available by considering the wider motor driven system.

In Europe, Regulation EC 640/2009 is in force, requiring specific types of motors from 0.75 kW to 375 kW to meet certain IE classes.  (Additional motor types and sizes are considered by a new regulation presently in development.)

There is often confusion about what the European legislation requires.