Power factor problems can cut the usable utility power available by nearly ½, which is a severe energy conservation problem. As a result, many parts of the world have government mandated requirements for using power factor correction, while others at least have standards for “recommended” practices. In Europe, the IEC 61000-3-2 standard mandates power factor performance standards for four classes of equipment, including portable power tools, lighting equipment, computers, displays and consumer televisions, and “everything else” as a category. In the United States, lighting ballasts have to meet ANSI C82.11-1993, and IEC 555-2 applies to domestic electrical equipment, but is only a suggestion, not a mandated requirement. While Japan follows standards similar to Europe, other parts of the world, including the rest of Asia, have no mandated performance requirements. Considering the growing demand for energy and energy conservation, this will be changing.