*Taiwan Taiwan announces sampling inspection plan for products regulated by energy saving labels

*Taiwan Energy Label / MEPS Violation Cases Product Designs Household Appliances
25 March 2024  yk.envix  LIU Yake (EnviX, Ltd.)
Taiwan announces sampling inspection plan for products regulated by energy saving labels

On February 6, 2024, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan announced the sampling inspection plan for products regulated for MEPS, energy efficiency rating label and energy saving mark in 2024. Currently, there are 33 products regulated by MEPS, 18 products regulated by the energy efficiency rating label, and 49 products regulated by the energy saving mark. MEPS and energy efficiency rating label are mandatory, while energy saving mark is voluntary. For MEPS, inspections are planned for LEDs with built-in ballasts, straight-tube LED fluorescent lamps, hot water storage type electric water heaters, bottled drinking water servers, and microwave ovens in 2024. In addition, sampling inspections on 13 products regarding energy efficiency rating label are also expected to be carried out.

 

Inspection plan of MEPS

Carry out market sample inspection for LED with built-in ballast and straight-tube LED fluorescent lamps.

Carry out on-site sample inspection for hot water storage type electric water heaters, bottled drinking water servers, and microwave ovens.

 

Inspection plan of energy efficiency rating label

In 2024, there are plans to carry out sampling inspections for the following 13 products. The inspection will cover the energy efficiency display values and MEPS.

  • Refrigerators
  • Ductless air conditioners
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Electric pots
  • Storage type electric water heaters
  • Gas stoves
  • Gas instantaneous water heaters
  • Water servers that provide drinkable cold, hot and warm water
  • Water servers that provide drinkable hot and warm water
  • Water dispensers that provide cold, hot and warm water
  • Water dispensers that provide hot and warm water
  • Electric rice cookers
  • Air purifiers

 

Q&A regarding inspection

In addition, on February 7, 2024, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan published answers to questions regarding inspection activities. Here are some examples.

Q1: After the standard for energy efficiency rating and energy saving mark have been revised, regarding products, which in followed with old standards, in stock or products already distributed on the market, is it possible to apply the non-retroactivity of the law based on a valid certificate, or should the sellers be forced to remove the products from the shelves or recall them?

A1: There are some differences in the administrative measures between the energy efficiency rating label and the energy saving mark.

Energy efficiency rating label: When the standards for energy efficiency rating labels are changed, manufacturers must apply for new labels based on the revised standards. Whether it is a new product or an old product in stock or on the market, if it does not have a label based on the new standards or does not comply with the energy efficiency rating label regulations, it cannot be displayed and sold in Taiwan.

Energy saving mark: If the energy efficiency standards for the energy saving mark are changed, manufacturers must apply for the energy saving mark based on the revised standards. However, if a product that has acquired the energy saving mark meets the revised standard, the mark can be used until its original expiration date. While if it does not meet the revised standards, the mark will expire the day before the new standard takes effect.

 

Q2: If a website is only used for showcase products and does not sell them, is it still a violation of the regulation for not display an energy efficiency rating label?

A2: Products regulated by energy efficiency rating labels that are displayed or sold through online channels must clearly display their energy efficiency rating labels next to the product graphics.

 

Q3: If a product displayed on the sales floor fails a sampling inspection, the manufacturer will be notified of the re-inspection, will it be possible to continue selling the product during that period?

A3: In this case, the product can still be sold on the market during that period. However, it is preferable not to sell it to avoid consumer complaints.

 

 

For the original text of the above-mentioned contents, please refer to the following URL (in Simplified Chinese).

Author / Responsibility

LIU Yake

Researcher, Research & Consulting Dept. EnviX Ltd.

Business Performance

worked as a research assistant at Department of Environmental Planning and Management, School of Environment, Tsinghua University for 4 years, and then joint in Envix in April, 2022, currently is mainly responsible for consulting on EHS regulation compliance in East Asia.

Background

MA, Environmental Econimics, Hiroshima University

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