Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

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

Ref : EIC 230/4/1 

4 June 2005

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 198/2005

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

Further to Commercial Information Circulars No.94/2001 of 4 June 2001, No. 147/2001 of 25 September 2001, No. 79/2002 of 19 April 2002, No. 186/2002 of 25 September 2002 and No. 113/2003 of 22 April 2003, the European Commission has adopted a Decision to extend the validity of the existing ecological criteria for five product groups (viz. washing machines, tissue-paper products, soil improvers and growing media, televisions and light bulbs) under the Community Eco-label Award Scheme. Details are set out in Commission Decision 2005/384/EC (the Decision), a copy ( pdf format ) of which is attached to this circular for reference.

DETAILS

2. Under the Decision, the validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to washing machines, tissue-paper products, soil improvers and growing media, televisions and light bulbs will be extended until 30 November 2007, 4 May 2007, 28 August 2007, 31 March 2007 and 31 August 2007 respectively. Salient points of the product group definitions and the ecological criteria for the five product groups are set out in paragraphs 3-7 below.

Washing Machines

3. The current product group definition and the ecological criteria for washing machines were established in December 1999. The product group has been defined to cover front and top loading household washing machines excluding twin-tubs and water-dryers. To qualify for the Community eco-label, the product concerned must meet specific ecological criteria on certain areas including energy efficiency, water consumption and user instructions.

Tissue-paper Products

4. The current product group definition and the ecological criteria for tissue-paper products were established in May 2001. The product group has been defined as sheets or rolls of tissue paper fit for use for personal hygiene, absorption of liquids and/or cleaning of soiled surfaces. The tissue product normally consists of creped or embossed paper in one or several piles. The fibre content of the product should be at least 90%. Laminated tissue products and wet wipes are excluded from the product group. To qualify for the Community eco-label, the product concerned must meet specific ecological criteria on certain areas including energy use, the use of hazardous chemical substances and consumer information.

Soil Improvers and Growing Media

5. The current product group definition and the ecological criteria for soil improvers and growing media were established in August 2001. The product group has been defined to comprise soil improvers (materials to be added to the soil in situ primarily to maintain or improve its physical properties, and which may improve its chemical and/or biological properties or activity) and growing media (material, other than soils in situ, in which plants are grown). To qualify for the Community eco-label, the product concerned must meet specific ecological criteria on certain areas including limitation of hazardous substances, product performance and information provided with the product.

Televisions

6. The current product group definition and the ecological criteria for televisions were established in March 2002. The product group has been defined to comprise 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 Community eco-label, the product concerned must meet specific ecological criteria on certain areas including energy savings, recycling and user instructions.

Light Bulbs

7. The current product group definition and the ecological criteria for light bulbs were established in September 2002. The product group has been defined to comprise single-ended light bulbs and double-ended light bulbs. Compact fluorescent lamps with a magnetic ballast, projector lamps, photographic lighting and solarium tubes are excluded from the product group. To qualify for the Community eco-label, the product concerned must meet specific ecological criteria on certain areas including energy efficiency, packaging and user instructions.

ENQUIRIES

8. For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Sandra SOU)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

* The EU includes Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, 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.