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The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (December 28) extended the scope of its voluntary Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (EELS) to cover photocopiers and household electric storage water heaters.

The first batch of these appliances with "energy efficiency" labels issued by EMSD is expected to come on the market in mid-2001.

The EELS is an initiative adopted by the Government in 1995 to promote public awareness of energy conservation and environmental improvement needs in daily life.

Under the scheme, manufacturers, importers and local agents of some common types of household appliances are invited to apply for energy efficiency labels to be affixed to their products that serves to inform consumers of the individual product's energy consumption and efficiency. With this information, consumers will be able to make better choices.

The scheme also aims to provide a stimulation for phasing out the manufacturing and use of less energy efficient electrical products from the market.

By joining this scheme, participants can keep pace with the international trend which calls for the use of energy labels. At the same time, participation in the scheme can provide customers with an assurance that the products are energy saving and of high quality.

Currently, the EELS administered by the EMSD is only applicable to household electrical appliances. Since its introduction, the scheme already covers household refrigerators, room coolers, washing machines, electric clothes dryers and compact fluorescent lamps. The incorporation of photocopiers is an important step forward to further extend the coverage of the scheme by including office equipment under its scope.

The scheme for photocopiers is operated as a "Recognition Type" labelling system, while the scheme for household electric storage electric water heaters is a "Graded Type" labelling system, with Grade 1 being the most energy efficient, and Grade 5 being the least.

The scheme covers appliances sold in Hong Kong but not second-hand products or products already in use.

To qualify for labelling, the products should meet certain energy efficiency and performance requirements of the respective scheme. Test certificates of the products confirming compliance of the requirements should be issued by laboratories endorsed by Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) or recognised based on internationally accepted ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO/IEC Guide 25 (applicable only before January 1, 2002) standards.

Test certificates submitted by the manufacturers' in-house laboratories where tests had been evaluated and certified by internationally recognised third party certification organisations will also be considered.

EMSD will carry out random checks on registered and unregistered products and take necessary action to ensure effective operation of the scheme. Legal action may be taken under either the Trade Descriptions Ordinance or the Copyright Ordinance against abuse of the scheme. EMSD will also de-register a non-compliant product.

Enquires about the scheme can be made in writing to the Energy Efficiency Office of the EMSD on the 11th floor, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay or by calling 2881 1562.

End/Thursday, December 28, 2000

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