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persuading the manufacturers and market to phase out less energy efficient products; and
* achieving energy-saving in households.
The scheme covers household refrigeration appliances sold in Hong Kong but does not cover second hand products or products already in use. It will operate on a voluntary basis, and interested manufacturers, local agents and importers can join the scheme through registration with the EMSD.
By joining the scheme, participants can keep pace with the international trenti which calls for the use of energy labels. At the same time, they can give assurance to their customers that their products are energy saving and of high quality.
It is a prerequisite that appliance to be qualified for registration should meet the performance test and energy consumption test requirements. After joining the scheme, participants are required to produce and affix specified labels at their own cost on all registered appliances. Such labels will gradually appear on refrigerators towards the end of the year.
Consumers can obtain from the energy label information on annual energy consumption. The energy efficiency grading of the appliance will be assessed on a scale of 1 to 5 by comparing to appliances in the same category according to the specified method laid down in the scheme. The test methods are based on the ISO 8187 standard. Grade 1 is the most energy efficient.
The EMSD will carry out random checks on registered and unregistered appliances and take necessary follow-up actions to ensure the scheme operates effectively. In the event of the labelling scheme being abused, legal action can be initiated under either the Trade Description Ordinance or the copyright legislation, as appropriate.
The EMSD may de-register a non-compliant product with immediate effect if registration of an appliance is contrary to public interest. A participant who decides to discontinue participating in the scheme or to withdraw any registered model from the registered appliances list will have to give at least three months' notice to the EMSD.
The voluntary scheme will operate until December 31, 1998. before which a review would be made for the possibility of further refinement.
Similar schemes for other energy consumption household appliances, such as room coolers and washing machines, will be introduced next year.
End/Thursday, June 15, 1996
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