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The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (December 30) introduces two new voluntary Energy Efficiency Labelling Schemes (EELSs) to cover dehumidifiers and laser printers.
Apart from helping consumers to select products that are energy saving, EELSs also aim to:
(a) promote greater public awareness on conserving energy and protecting the environment;
(b) stimulate the manufacturers/market to phase out less energy efficient products; and
(c) achieve actual energy savings and environmental improvements.
Under the EELSs, manufacturers, importers and local agents of some common types of household appliances and office equipment are invited to apply for energy labels to be affixed onto their products which serve to inform consumers of individual products' energy consumption and efficiency. With this information, consumers will be able to make better choices.
By joining this scheme, participants can keep pace with the international trend that calls for the use of energy labels. At the same time, participation in the scheme can also provide customers with an assurance that the products are energy-saving.
Initially, the EELSs administrated by the EMSD only covered household appliances. New EELSs were then developed to cover office equipment in December 2000. With the present extension, the EELSs now cover eight types of household appliances including refrigerator, room cooler, washing machine, electric clothes dryer, compact fluorescent lamp, electric storage water heater, electric rice-cooker, and dehumidifier as well as three types of office equipment including photocopier, multifunction device and laser printer.
The EMSD is now inviting manufacturers, importers and local agents of dehumidifier and laser printer to join the two new EELSs. The new EELSs are awarded on the basis of "Recognition Type" labelling system. To qualify for this type of labels, the products should meet the energy efficiency and performance requirements of the respective schemes. Test certificates of the products confirming compliance with the requirements should be issued by laboratories which are accredited by the Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) or comply with internationally accepted ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Test certificates submitted by the manufacturer's inhouse laboratories, where tests have been evaluated and certified by internationally recognised third party certification organizations, 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 schemes. EMSD will also de-register any non-compliant products.
Enquiries about the new EELSs 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. Information about the EELSs is also available at the EMSD homepage: http://www.emsd.gov.hk.
End/Monday, December 30, 2002
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