***********************************************************
Following is the speech (English translation) by the Acting Secretary for the Environment, Dr Kitty Poon, in moving amendment to the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule) Order 2009 in the Legislative Council meeting today (January 6):
President,
I move that the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules) Order 2009, be amended as set out on the Agenda.
The Amendment Order was tabled at the Legislative Council on November 4, 2009. Legislative Council subsequently established a Subcommittee to scrutinise the Amendment Order. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable Audrey Eu, Chairperson of the Subcommittee, and other members of the Subcommittee for their invaluable opinions during the course of the scrutiny.
The Amendment Order stipulates the implementation details of the second phase of the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme, such as the coverage of products and specification of energy labels.
The second phase of Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme covers dehumidifiers. We proposed to cover dehumidifiers with a rated dehumidifying capacity not exceeding 87 litres per day after making reference to international practices. The United States and Canada also adopt similar practice.
The Subcommittee had invited deputations and other relevant organisations to express views at its meeting. Some of them advised that dehumidifiers of rated dehumidifying capacity between 35 litres and 87 litres were rather uncommon for domestic application, and their sale volume was very limited. The cost for such dehumidifiers to comply with the mandatory scheme would be relatively higher given its limited sales volume. As such, members of the Subcommittee requested us to consider adjusting the product coverage of dehumidifiers.
In view of these comments, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department had conducted a questionnaire survey with members of the Trade Task Force. Most members indicated support for narrowing down the coverage of dehumidifiers in the Amendment Order to those with a rated dehumidifying capacity not exceeding 35 litres. In view of the low sales volume and support from the trade and the Subcommittee, we decide to adopt the suggestion and move this amendment.
I wish to express my gratitude to the Subcommittee again for its invaluable opinions. I would like to appeal for your support to the proposed amendment. Thank you.
Ends/Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:08
NNNN