Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : tidenq@tid.gcn.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 230/4/1

19 April 2002

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 79/02

European Union (EU)* :Community Eco-label Award Scheme

Further to Commercial Information Circular No. 62/02 of 3 April 2002, the European Commission (EC) has adopted the ecological criteria for televisions and hard floor coverings under the Community Eco-label Award Scheme (the Scheme).

DETAILS

Televisions

2. The EC published on 4 April 2002 a Commission Decision (2002/255/EC) establishing the ecological criteria for televisions (copy of the Decision at Annex I (pdf format)). The product group is defined as mains powered electronic equipment which is designed to receive, decode and display TV transmission signals, whether analogue or digital, broadcast via satellite, cable or antenna signals and has a screen size of ten inches (25cm) or more. To qualify for the eco-label, the product must meet specific ecological criteria on certain areas including energy savings, recycling and user instructions. The product group definition and the ecological criteria are valid for three years; i.e. until 31 March 2005. Their validity shall be extended for a further year if revised criteria have not been adopted before the end of the period.

Hard floor coverings

3. The EC published on 11 April 2002 a Commission Decision (2002/272/EC) establishing the ecological criteria for hard floor coverings (copy of the Decision at Annex II (pdf format)). The product group covers natural stones, agglomerated stones, concrete paving units, terrazzo tiles, ceramic tiles and clay tiles used for internal/external flooring without any relevant structural function. To qualify for the eco-label, the product must meet specific ecological criteria on areas like raw materials extraction and selection, limits on emission of dangerous substances, and consumer information. The product group definition and the ecological criteria are valid for four years; i.e. until 31 March 2006. Their validity shall be extended for a further year if revised criteria have not been adopted before the end of the period.
   
   
4. With the adoption of the ecological criteria for televisions and hard floor coverings, the number of product groups covered by the Scheme has expanded to nineteen, viz. laundry detergents, light bulbs, washing machines, copying paper, refrigerators, tissue paper products, dishwashers, soil improvers, paints and varnishes, bed mattresses, textile products, footwear, personal computers, portable computers, detergents for dishwashers, all-purpose cleaners and cleaners for sanitary facilities, hand dishwashing detergents, televisions and hard floor coverings. Traders may visit the EC's Eco-label web-site at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ecolabel/index.htm for information on the Scheme and details on the ecological criteria for the different product groups.

ENQUIRIES

5. For enquiries about the contents of this Circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Sandra SOU)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

* : The EU Member States are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom

Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.