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The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (December 22) introduces two new voluntary Energy Efficiency Labelling Schemes to cover televisions and LCD monitors.
Apart from helping consumers to select products that are energy saving, the schemes also aim to:
(a) promote greater public awareness of energy conservation and environmental protection;
(b) stimulate the manufacturers/market to phase out less energy efficient products; and
(c) achieve actual energy savings and environmental improvements.
Under the schemes, manufacturers, importers and local agents of some common types of household appliances and office equipment are invited to apply for energy labels to be attached to their products as a means 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 up with the international trend of using energy labels. At the same time, participation in the scheme can provide customers with an assurance that the products are energy-saving.
Initially, the schemes administered by the EMSD covered only household appliances. New schemes were then introduced to cover office equipment and vehicles in December 2000 and February 2002, respectively.
With the present extension, the schemes now cover nine types of household appliances - refrigerators, room coolers, washing machines, electric clothes dryers, compact fluorescent lamps, electric storage water heaters, electric rice cookers, dehumidifiers and televisions; four types of office equipment - photocopiers, multifunction devices, laser printers and LCD monitors; and petrol-powered passenger cars.
The EMSD is now inviting manufacturers, importers and local agents of television sets and LCD monitors to join the two new schemes. The new schemes function on the basis of a "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 in-house 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 any necessary action to ensure effective operation of the schemes. EMSD will also de-register any non-compliant products.
Enquiries about the new schemes 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 schemes is also available at the EMSD homepage: http://www.emsd.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, December 22, 2003
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