Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

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

Ref : EIC 411/2

25 November 2013

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 937/2013

Argentina : Energy Efficiency Requirements for Household Refrigerators and Washing Machines

The Argentine government issued Resolution No. 682/2013 and 684/2013 on 27 September 2013 to establish minimum energy efficiency requirements for certain household refrigerators and washing machines respectively.

2.Household refrigerators covered in Resolution No. 682/2013 are refrigerators with two compartments (fridge and freezers), including "frost-free" models, and refrigerators with one compartment (fridge and fridges with low-temperature compartment), including "frost-free" models. Such household refrigerators will have to comply with energy efficiency "Class B" of IRAM 2404-3:1998, i.e. the maximum level of specific energy consumption or minimum level of energy efficiency, with effect from 6 November 2013. In addition, front-opening household freezers, top-opening (chest-type) household freezers, household refrigerators and freezers with more than two doors and other refrigeration appliances will be required to comply with energy efficiency "Class B" of IRAM 2404-3:1998 with effect from 1 April 2014.

3.Washing machines covered in Resolution No. 684/2013 must comply with energy efficiency "Class B" of IRAM 2141-3:2010 with immediate effect.

4.For details, traders are advised to consult their importers in Argentina and/or the Argentine Resolutions (in Spanish), which are available at:

Resolution No. 682/2013:
http://www.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/220000-224999/220745/norma.htm

Resolution No. 684/2013:
http://www.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/220000-224999/220747/norma.htm.

ENQUIRIES

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

Yours faithfully,

(Ms Cindy CHENG)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry