For more than 1 year of energy labeling for household appliances, the energy labeled consumer products are becoming increasingly popular and trusted by clients in making their choices. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, this activity will go further in depth in 2015 - the final year of the National Target Program on energy saving.

Energy labeled consumer products are more preferable

Going for an window shopping walk around big electronics stores in Hanoi, we can see the variety of products, labeled with energy consumption levels, from television sets, air conditioners, washing machines, to electric fans, electric cookers from major brands such as Panasonic, LG, Daikin, and Mitsubishi.

Starting July 1st, 2013, it is mandatory for a group of domestic appliances to bear energy label in the market. Next, the date 01/01/2014 comes as a milestone in the schedule for mandatory energy labeling on refrigerators, front-loader washing machines and television sets. Starting 1-1-2015, means of transportation, including 7-seat vans and cars are compulsory to bear energy labels. Information from the Vietnam Register bureau reveals that now it has received 88/95 formal dossiers on the energy label of various types of vehicles, covering the products of 9 businesses, including Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, Suzuki, Ford, Nissan, Audi, BMW and Kia.

Over one year after the deployment of mandatory energy labeling, the first effect brought about by the program is the transparency in the energy efficiency of products in the market, then further helping consumers choose energy-saving products through the information displayed on the energy label. By the end of 2014, the total number of product codes with energy labels is 6,268 (during 2010-2014).

Mr. Trinh Quoc Vu - Director of Department of Science, Technology and Energy Efficiency, Energy Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, says that energy labeling program in its implementation over time has achieved very encouraging results in helping remove the energy consuming products, and it created a habit for people in the use of high energy efficiency products. This change also drives the manufacturers and importers to the replacement of backward production lines or focus more on high energy efficiency imports, to meet the growing needs of the consumers.

Further enhance the energy labeling activities

2015 is the final year of the current national target program on energy saving and efficiency Phase 2. Therefore, Trinh Quoc Vu said, in 2015, the energy labeling program would continue to promote development, which focuses on preparation and finalization of standards for promulgation. These standards are on energy efficiency of equipment and testing standards for certification of energy labeled appliances. Besides, it is needed to organize post audits to ensure the compliance of the units involved in the energy labeling program. With such in-depth activities, the energy labeling program is expected to bring greater efficiency to businesses as well as the national target program on energy saving and efficiency in the time to come. 

Do Trong Tan