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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
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Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

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

Ref : EIC 230/4/1

11 April 2003

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 101/2003

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

Further to Commercial Information Circular No. 62/2002 of 3 April 2002, the European Commission (EC) has revised the ecological criteria and their validity period for the award of the Community eco-label to laundry detergents in order to reflect the developments in the market. Besides, the EC has modified the definition of the product group. Details are set out in the Commission Decision (2003/200/EC), a copy of which is attached (pdf format) to this Circular for reference.

DETAILS

Revised Product Group Definition and Eco-label Criteria

  1. The existing product group definition and eco-label criteria were established in July 1999. The product group definition is now revised to comprise all laundry detergents, in powder, liquid or any other form, for the washing of textiles, and which are intended to be used principally in household machines, but not excluding the use in launderettes and common laundries. As for the revised eco-label criteria on ingredients, product packaging, etc., please refer to the Annex (pdf format) in the Attachment for the relevant details. The revised product group definition and eco-label criteria have taken effect on 1 March 2003 and will be valid until 29 February 2008.

Transitional Arrangements

  1. To allow time for companies to adapt to the revisions, the existing product group definition and eco-label criteria will remain valid until 31 August 2004. Eco-label awarded to this group of product before 1 March 2003 may continue to be used until 31 August 2004. For applications of eco-label made before 1 March 2003, eco-label may be awarded under the terms of the existing product group definition and eco-label criteria. In these cases, eco-label so awarded may be used until 31 August 2004.

ENQUIRIES

  1. For enquiries about the contents 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 member states are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.



  • 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.