On September 8, 2010, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Energy Conservation Office organized a ceremony to present an energy label titled Vietnam Energy Star and hand over energy efficiency certifications to three compact lamp manufacturers: Dien Quang, Philips Vietnam and Rang Dong.

In 2007, energy labeling activities in Vietnam began with fluorescent tube lamps and electromagnetic ballasts, marking a new step forward in the field of energy conservation in the country.

From January 1, 2013, all lighting products in Vietnam will be required to have an energy label and an energy efficiency certification that is valid for 36 months.

Following are the opinions of managers from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and some companies regarding energy label.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Quang Duong: Consumers should choose Vietnam Energy Star-labeled products.

Energy labeling of lighting products will help consumers choose high-quality, energy-efficient products. This activity reflects the responsibility of businesses to Vietnamese consumers. Lighting products of Rang Dong, Dien Quang and Philips Vietnam, which are to be Vietnam Energy Star-labeled in 2010, have been tested carefully to ensure that they are of high quality, durability and safety, environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Using those kinds of products, consumers can save some percentage of the monthly expenditure on power use. Therefore, we recommend consumers to buy Vietnam Energy Star-labeled products.

Dien Quang Lamp Joint Stock Company

Beginning to invest in manufacturing energy-efficient lighting products in 2000, Dien Quang is one of the top brands in Vietnam in this field. The company’s production strategy aims to ensure that its products are safe, economical and environmentally friendly. Dien Quang products therefore meet the requirements of the most difficult-to-please markets such as the EU. All fluorescent lamps and compact lamps manufactured by Dien Quang are CE-labeled, i.e. meeting European standards. The company is executing a technology export contract and building a lamp factory in Venezuela. In 2007, Dien Quang was one of the first companies to have fluorescent tube lamps and electromagnetic ballasts energy efficiency labeled. In the 2010 energy labeling campaign, eight lines of compact lamps manufactured by Dien Quang were certified as energy efficient products.

Ho Quynh Hung, chairman of the board cum general director of the Dien Quang Lamp Joint Stock Company: Products will be under guarantee for 15 months.

All products of Dien Quang meet international standards. Our products are not only sold in Vietnam but also exported to many other countries. Energy efficiency labeling, in my opinion, is an important activity to both businesses and consumers. For businesses, this is a way to improve the competitiveness as well as the prestige of their brands. For consumers, this activity allows them to choose products that are really energy efficient and differentiate those products from the ones that are substandard.

Dien Quang is making further efforts to improve the quality of its services with the commitment to provide 15-month after-sales guarantee. The company will continue to provide customers with energy efficient, durable products that are of high lighting efficiency and the best guarantee services. Dien Quang’s commitment reflects its active participation in the implementation of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program as well as its responsibility and contribution to society and community.

Philips Electronics (Vietnam) Co., Ltd.

Established in 2002, Philips Vietnam manufactures and trades in various kinds of products, including professional lighting products/systems and effective lighting solutions. A foreign company operating in Vietnam, Philips is deeply aware of the need to protect the environment. Providing energy efficient lighting products, Philips has been listed by Saigon Times among the top 40 ‘green businesses’ in Vietnam.

Philips is intensifying production to create more energy efficient, durable lighting products to bring comfort to users’ lives and reduce electricity consumption. In the 2010 energy labeling campaign, 14 lines of compact lamps manufactured by Philips Vietnam were certified as energy efficient products.

Alex Ngian, general director of Philips Vietnam: The energy label will be a reliable symbol of compact lamps.

A lighting product manufacturer, we highly appreciate the Vietnam Energy Star labeling campaign. This energy label will be a reliable symbol of products because it reflects the Government’s recognition of the energy efficiency of products. It allows consumers to choose products that are truly energy efficient and prevents them from using products that are substandard in terms of energy efficiency, which is harmful to the environment.

The Vietnam Energy Star label will encourage Philips to make further efforts to improve consumers’ awareness of the need to use energy efficient compact lamps instead of incandescent bulbs.

Rang Dong Light Source and Vacuum Flask Joint Stock Company

Beginning to make energy efficient lighting products in 1998, Rang Dong currently has 14 compact lamp production lines and is the largest compact lamp supplier in Vietnam. Compact lamps of Rang Dong have been exported to difficult-to-please markets such as the EU, the US and the Middle East as well as many other countries. In 2007, Rang Dong was the first company to receive an energy efficiency certification for its T8 fluorescent lamps and electromagnetic ballasts. An experienced manufacturer of lighting products, Rang Dong is one of the top ten brands of lighting products in Vietnam. In the 2010 energy labeling campaign, Rang Dong received an energy efficiency certification for four lines of compact lamps.

Le Quoc Khanh, Rang Dong’s deputy general director: The energy label reflects the quality of products.

Energy efficiency labeling is an important activity to manufacturers like Rang Dong. It allows businesses to affirm that their products meet national standards in terms of energy efficiency, helping them popularize their brands and improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese products. This activity allows consumers to buy quality products and use less electricity. A leading manufacturer of lighting products, especially compact lamps, we are committed to create higher quality products to better meet consumer demand.

With the output of compact lamps growing 20-30 percent a year, we are capable to meet any requirement of customers and provide them with the best quality products.

By Nga Ho