Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 411/2

5 January 2011

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 15/2011

Argentina : Energy Efficiency Standards for Certain Electric Washing Machines

The Argentine Government has recently issued a Disposition (No. 761/2010) to establish mandatory engergy efficiency standards for certain electric washing machines. The standards have become effective on 29 November 2010. The Disposition (in Spanish) is available at http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/175000-179999/175674/norma.htm.

DETAILS

2.The standards apply to all electric washing machines with a load capacity of up to 20 kilograms per cycle (except those (i) without a spin function; (ii) with separate tubs for washing and spinning; and (iii) combined with hot air dryer). The covered products must:

1. bear a label containing information such as the performance of energy efficiency and the emission of noise as specified in the relevant Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación (IRAM). For details, please refer to the Argentine Resolution No. 319/1999 (in Spanish) available at
   http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/55000-59999/57667/texact.htm; and
2. be certified by the certification body authorised by the Argentine Government for the compliance of Part 3 of the standard IRAM 2141-3:2010. The certificate shall be issued based on the testing performed by the laboratory authorised by the Argentine Government in accordance with ISO System No. 5.

Other details of the standards including the scope, definition, implementation schedule and stock information are set out in the Disposition.

3.The abovementioned certification requirements will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, which requires manufacturers and importers to submit evidence of initiation of application for certification and testing program issued by the authorised certification body prior to their marketing or importation, will enter into force 60 days from the publication date of the names of at least two laboratories authorised to perform the above testing. The second phase, which requires manufacturers and importers to provide the above certificate of compliance prior to their marketing or importation, will enter into force 210 days from the date of commencement of the first phase.

4.For details of the labelling and certification requirements in relation to the energy efficiency standards, traders are advised to consult their importers in Argentina and/or the above Argentine Disposition/Resolution.

ENQUIRIES

5.For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact Miss S Y TANG at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Bonny CHAO)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry