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Singapore: National Environmental Agency increases Minimum Energy Performance Standards for selected household appliances

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In brief

On 8 June 2021, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) announced that it would be increasing the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) of four targeted types of household appliances. The increased MEPS levels take effect from 1 January 2022. 

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Manufacturers and suppliers of the four targeted types of household appliances should note the increased MEPS levels for refrigerators, clothes dryers, casement and window air conditioners, and split-type air conditioners that will take effect from 1 January 2022.

This increase of MEPS levels marks an effort by the NEA to encourage manufacturers and suppliers of household appliances to introduce newer and more eco-friendly appliances into the market. The development comes as no surprise, in light of Singapore’s ongoing push for sustainability following the unveiling of the Singapore Green Plan 2030 in February 2021.

In more detail

On 8 June 2021, the NEA announced that it would be increasing the MEPS of four targeted types of household appliances. The increased MEPS levels take effect from 1 January 2022. This follows the NEA’s public and industry consultation in late 2020 to 2021, where no major concerns were raised in respect of the proposed enhancements.

The four targeted types of household appliances are: refrigerators, clothes dryers, casement and window air conditioners, and split-type air conditioners. 

The first three types of appliances will have their MEPS levels increased to two ticks, while split-type air conditioners will have their MEPS levels increased by 7% within the two-tick level and additionally, have their limits for standby power reduced. 

The increased MEPS levels are expected to maintain or possibly even lower the lifecycle costs of the targeted appliances. They also aim to encourage manufacturers and suppliers to introduce newer and more eco-friendly appliances into the market, in a bid to help households in Singapore reduce their carbon footprint. 

The full NEA announcement, including details of the existing and enhanced MEPS levels, are available here. 

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Andy Leck is the managing principal of Baker McKenzie.Wong & Leow. Mr. Leck is recognised by the world’s leading industry and legal publications as a leader in his field. Asian Legal Business notes that he “always gives good, quick advice, [is] client-focused and has strong technical knowledge for his areas of practice”. Alongside his current role as managing principal, Mr. Leck has held several leadership positions in the Firm and externally as a leading IP practitioner. He currently serves on the International Trademark Association's Board of Directors and is a member of the Singapore Copyright Tribunal.

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Ren Jun is an associate principal of Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow. Ren Jun extensively represents local and international intellectual property-intensive clients in both contentious and non-contentious IP matters, such as anti-counterfeiting; civil and criminal litigation; commercial issues; regulatory clearance; and advertising laws. Ren Jun also advises on a wide range of issues relating to the healthcare industries. These include regulatory compliance in respect of drugs, medical devices, clinical trials, health supplements and cosmetics; product liability and recall; and anti-corruption. Ren Jun is currently a member of the Firm's Asia Pacific Healthcare ASEAN Economic Community; Product Liability and Regulatory Sub-Committees.

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