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New energy efficiency grading standards for room air-conditioners, refrigerating appliances and washing machines under the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS) will be fully implemented on November 25. The scheme aims to encourage suppliers to introduce more energy-efficient models and help consumers select such products.
Starting from November 25, room air-conditioners, refrigerating appliances and washing machines must bear energy labels in compliance with the new energy efficiency grading standards before they are supplied to the local market. The prefix "U1" will be added to the reference number on the new energy label. To prepare for the full implementation of the new standards, retail outlets will replace existing labels on display units with the new energy labels in the period from November 18 to 24.
"The implementation of the new energy efficiency grading standards is expected to bring an energy saving of about 300 million kilowatt hours per year (equivalent to an annual saving of about $300 million in household electricity bills) and an annual reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by about 210,000 tonnes," a Government spokesman said today (November 13).
The Code of Practice on Energy Labelling of Products was revised last year with the energy efficiency grading standards for the aforementioned three products raised by about 30 per cent. A grace period of about one year will end on November 24 this year.
"After the implementation of the new energy efficiency grading standards, any person who supplies a prescribed product that does not properly bear an energy label or is not a listed model will commit an offence and be liable to a fine of $100,000. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department will conduct inspections at retail shops to monitor compliance with the ordinance," the spokesman said.
The MEELS was introduced in May 2008 through the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance, under which energy labels are required to be shown on all prescribed products for supply in Hong Kong to inform consumers of their energy efficiency performance. The energy label classifies energy performance into five grades. Products with a Grade 1 energy label are among the most energy-efficient on the market. The MEELS currently covers five types of products, namely room air-conditioners, refrigerating appliances, compact fluorescent lamps, washing machines and dehumidifiers.
For more information about the MEELS and the new energy efficiency grading standards, please visit the thematic website of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (www.energylabel.emsd.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, November 13, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:46
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