About Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme
Significant energy saving could be achieved by using more energy efficient appliances which helps reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants from power plants. To further facilitate the public in choosing energy efficient appliances and raise public awareness on energy saving, the Government has introduced the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS) through the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance, Cap. 598, (hereinafter cited as the “Ordinance”). Under MEELS, energy labels are required to be shown on the prescribed products for supply in Hong Kong, China, to inform consumers of their energy efficiency performance.
Implementation of the MEELS
Similar to most of the overseas mandatory energy efficiency labelling schemes, the MEELS in Hong Kong requires manufacturers or importers of the prescribed products to conduct tests in accredited testing laboratories. The testing laboratories include accredited laboratory under the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (“HOKLAS”) or under an accreditation scheme operated by a laboratory accreditation body in other economies with which HOKLAS has concluded a mutual recognition arrangement. The tests must be carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice on Energy Labelling of Products (“CoP”) issued by the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (“DEMS”) under the Ordinance.
If DEMS is satisfied with the information submitted including the test results, he will notify the manufacturers or importers of the reference number assigned to the product model concerned. Manufacturers or importers are required to attach energy labels in the prescribed format specified in the Ordinance before supplying these products in Hong Kong. All local suppliers (including wholesalers and retailers) cannot supply any specified product which has not been assigned a reference number and does not bear the energy labels.
The MEELS has been implementing in phases. The initial phase of MEELS, covering three types of products, namely room air conditioners, refrigerating appliances and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), has been fully implemented since 9 November 2009. The second phase of MEELS, extending the coverage to two more electrical products, namely washing machines and dehumidifiers, has been fully implemented since 19 September 2011. The third phase of MEELS further extends the coverage to three additional types of electrical products, namely televisions, storage type electric water heaters and induction cookers, and expands the scope of room air conditioners and washing machines. The third phase has been fully implemented since 1 December 2019.
The Fourth Phase of the MEELS
The fourth phase of the MEELS, covering three types of products, namely LED Lamps, Gas Cookers and Gas Instantaneous Water Heaters has commenced on 1 September 2023, with a 15-month transitional period and will be fully implemented on 1 December 2024.
All these eleven prescribed products for supply in Hong Kong are required to be listed models with reference numbers and bear energy labels. The energy label classifies the energy performance of a product type into five grades. A product with Grade 1 energy label is among the most energy efficient in the market while a product of Grade 5 is least efficient. To allow consumers have more choices, the number of energy efficient products in the market keeps increasing since the full implementation of the MEELS in 2009.
Other Information
Code of Practice
A Code of Practice on Energy Labelling of Products (hereinafter cited as the "Code") provides practical guidance and technical details about the energy efficiency labelling for the prescribed products. It specifies the relevant test standards, calculation methods and determination of energy efficiency grading levels of prescribed products, in accordance with which the energy efficiency performance of the product models are tested and assessed.
Submission of Product Information (How to Apply)
Prior to supplying a prescribed product in Hong Kong, an importer or local manufacturer shall submit the product information, including test report of the product model, to EMSD for assignment of reference number.
Record of Listed Models
The record of listed models contains all product models which have been assigned with reference numbers by EMSD that are still valid.
Models with Reference Numbers Removed
If the reference number of a listed model is removed from the record of listed models, the model concerned will not be allowed to be supplied in Hong Kong.
Compliance Monitoring Testing on Energy Performance
The EMSD regularly selects samples of listed models for compliance monitoring testing on energy performance by independent accredited laboratories to check that the products conform with the energy efficiency information submitted to EMSD. If a listed model is found not conforming with the information submitted to EMSD, its reference number will be removed from the record of listed models and the model will not be allowed to be supplied in Hong Kong.
Publications
A number of posters, pamphlets and circulars in respect of the MEELS have been published for the trade and the public.
TV Announcement
In order to promote the MEELS, a TV API (Announcement of Public Interest) has been produced.
News & Event
Third Review of Grading Standards
The new energy efficiency grading standards for refrigerating appliances, washing machines and storage type electric water heaters under the MEELS has taken effect from 30 June 2024, and will be fully implemented on 30 September 2025. For providing guidance on the grading standards, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department gazetted the "Code of Practice on Energy Labeling of Products 2024" on 8 March 2024 to set out the practical guidance and technical details in respect of the requirements on energy efficiency labelling for the prescribed products.
The Voluntary Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (VEELS)
Apart from MEELS which covers eight types of products (click here for the coverage of each type of product), EMSD has also introduced a Voluntary Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (VEELS). The scheme now covers 22 types of household appliances and office equipment.
Household Electrical Products with Certificates of Safety Compliance
The EMSD initiated a voluntary scheme for registration of certificates of safety compliance. The list under the scheme contains models of household electrical products having been issued with relevant certificates of safety compliance as required under the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation.
Enquiries
For enquiries about the MEELS, please contact:
| Telephone | : | 2808 3465 or 1823 |
| Fax | : | 2890 6081 |
| : | eepublic@emsd.gov.hk | |
| Address | : | Energy Efficiency Office Electrical and Mechanical Services Department 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong |
