Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

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

Ref : EIC 111/2

15 February 2007

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 93/2007

US: Proposed Amendments to Labelling Requirements for Consumer Products

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published a Federal Register (FR) notice on 13 February 2007 to seek comments on several proposed amendments to the Appliance Labelling Rule. Written comments on the proposal must be submitted to the FTC by 16 April 2007.

DETAILS

2. The Appliance Labelling Rule directs manufacturers to disclose energy information about major household appliances at the point of sale in the form of a yellow EnergyGuide label affixed to each unit and in catalogues from which covered products can be ordered. This information enables consumers to compare the energy use or efficiency of competing models. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires the FTC to conduct the subject rulemaking to consider the effectiveness of the consumer products labeling programme in assisting consumers in making purchasing decisions and improving energy efficiency. As part of the effort, the FTC is considering changes to the labeling rules (including categorical labelling) that would improve the effectiveness of consumer product labels. The proposed amendments include a new design for the EnergyGuide label, changes to the labelling requirements for heating and cooling equipment, and several other changes to update and improve the rule. 
   
   
3. As the above-mentioned FR notice is quite bulky, interested parties may wish to download the notice at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-613.pdf.
   

ENQUIRIES

4. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,

(Scott MAK)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

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.