Singapore is raising the mandatory energy-efficiency standards of refrigerators and air-conditioners from next year, as these two items typically make up half a household’s energy consumption. And companies which use lots of energy will have to appoint an energy manager to monitor and reduce their use, under a proposed law introduced in Parliament by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan.

By Jessica Cheam in Straits Times (7 March 2012):

The appliances in your home are about to get greener – and electricity bills could shrink in tandem.

The Government is raising the mandatory energy-efficiency standards of refrigerators and air-conditioners sold on the market from next year. These two items typically make up half a household’s energy consumption. The standards for lights will also be raised, by 2014.

This means that more of such appliances that do not hit a certain energy efficiency target will not be approved for sale.

It will also be harder to qualify for the three- or four-tick classification. The more ticks a gadget carries, the more energy-efficient it is. Four ticks are the maximum. Those with no ticks cannot be sold.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan announced the tougher standards in Parliament yesterday, adding that the scheme might include television sets in future.

He was responding to MP Teo Ho Pin (Bukit Panjang) who asked what measures the Government was taking to promote energy efficiency in households.

Dr Balakrishnan said that by removing inefficient models from the market, ‘consumers avoid being locked into the high operating cost of inefficient appliances’.

One home owner who has already decided against inefficient appliances is Mrs Kim Lin Harbick, 32. ‘It makes sense to get energy-efficient appliances for the home as it saves money. I’m glad the Government is also raising the standards.’

Manufacturers The Straits Times spoke to said they had been preparing for stricter standards.

Panasonic Asia-Pacific spokesman Christopher Lim said the company welcomes the move but added that the Government could have sought the views of affected companies before setting the standards. He said his company has seen more sales of its energy-efficient products. ‘Consumers are starting to understand the benefits of these products even if the initial cost of energy-efficient products may be slightly higher.’

Source: www.nccs.gov.sg

Proposed law to get firms to improve energy management

Straits Times (9 March 2012):

COMPANIES that are heavy users of energy will have to appoint an energy manager to monitor and reduce their use, under a proposed law introduced in Parliament yesterday.

The introduction of the Energy Conservation Bill was indicated by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan the previous day.

He had said in Parliament, during the debate on his ministry’s budget, that a new law will make it compulsory for heavy energy users in the industry and transport sectors to put in place energy management practices.

These include monitoring and reporting energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as submitting plans to improve energy efficiency.

It also consolidates current energy performance standards and labelling schemes for household products and cars governed by other laws. These include energy efficiency labelling for air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers, and fuel economy labelling for cars.

Two other Bills were also introduced yesterday to give a further boost to Singapore’s drive to be an international arbitration centre.

The first Bill amends the International Arbitration Act to let Singapore courts recognise oral arbitration agreements, in addition to those made in writing.

Other changes include giving the courts powers to review positive and negative rulings made by other tribunals.

In the Financial Limitation Periods Bill, the proposed law spells out how Singapore laws apply to contractual disputes that are heard here, but where the contracts are governed by the laws of another country.

Another two Bills to amend the Public Utilities Act and the Sewerage and Drainage Act were also introduced yesterday.

The proposal also consolidates current energy performance standards and labelling schemes for household products and cars governed by other laws.

Source: www.singaporelawwatch.sg