From
January 2003, a mandatory approval scheme for domestic gas appliances will come
into effect to ensure safety standards .
Introducing
"GU Mark"
From
January 2003, a mandatory approval scheme for domestic gas appliances will
come into effect, stipulating new regulations to control safety in the supply
and installation of these products. The approval scheme applies to all new
domestic gas appliances, whether imported or manufactured locally for use
in Hong Kong on or after the effective date.
Cookers, water heaters and clothes
dryers, as well as portable cassette cookers fuelled by small disposable gas
cylinders, which are intended for use inside domestic premises, will be covered
under the scheme.
All approved gas appliances will bear an approved mark, known as the "GU
Mark". This will help the public and gas installers to identify approved
models of domestic gas appliances and is also
an assurance that these appliances have not only been produced in accordance
with recognised international safety standards, but also been subjected to
quality assurance checks in Hong Kong laboratories. At the time of writing,
more than 340 models had been approved, representing about 85 per cent of
the local market.
Registered
Gas Installers
As
of 2001, there were 385 gas contractors and 3,184 gas installers registered
with EMSD, most of which hold more than one class of registration. The chart
below shows the breakdown by class.
The
"GU Mark" helps the public and gas installers to identify approved
models of domestic gas appliances.
No. of Registered Gas
Installers by Class
Class
8
Class
7
Class
6
Class
5
Class
4
Class
3
Class
2
Class
1
Class
Number
P.17
