The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (March 1) launched a three-month public consultation on the proposal on the coverage of additional products under the fourth phase of the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS). The consultation period will end on May 31.

     The initial phase of the MEELS was introduced in 2008 under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (Cap. 598), requiring energy labels to be shown on all prescribed products for supply in Hong Kong in order to enable the public to select energy efficient appliances and save more energy. The scope of product coverage was planned to be expanded in phases. The Government now proposes to extend the coverage of the fourth phase of the MEELS to include three additional types of products, namely Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps, gas cookers and gas instantaneous water heaters.

     To prepare for the implementation of the fourth phase of the MEELS, the EMSD established task forces comprising representatives of the trade associations concerned and stakeholders in 2019, and received general support for the proposal. Moreover, the EMSD consulted the Energy Efficiency and Conservation and Renewable Energy Sub-committee of the Energy Advisory Committee in February this year, and the committee members also expressed support for the proposal.

     The proposal of the fourth phase of the MEELS mainly includes: 
(a) the newly covered products;
(b) the energy efficiency test standard of the products;
(c) the determination of energy efficiency grades;
(d) the specifications of the energy labels; and
(e) the arrangements during the transitional period.

     The EMSD welcomes views from the public on the proposal mentioned above. The consultation documents are available for viewing and downloading at the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk/energylabel/en/consultation.html).
 
     Members of the public may submit their views to the EMSD by post (Energy Efficiency Office, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong), email (meels_review@emsd.gov.hk) or fax (2890 6081).

Ends/Monday, March 1, 2021
Issued at HKT 11:00

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