Global Market Access Regulatory Newsletter – Q2 2024

Hong Kong updates to energy efficiency labeling

On March 8, 2024, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (ESMD) issued the sixth revision of the Code of Practice on Energy Labelling of Products (COP) 2024. This update replaces the 2023 version (Rev. 5). ESMD also released the supplementary Circular No. 1/2024 for the transitional arrangement.  

The new version of the COP contains new calculation methods for the energy efficiency grading of three prescribed products, refrigerating appliances, washing machines, and storage-type electric water heaters.  

According to the COP, the relevant tests standards are as below. 

• Refrigerating appliances shall comply with IEC 62552-1, IEC 62552-2 and IEC 62552-3 
• Washing machines shall comply with IEC 60456 
• Storage type electric water heater shall comply with IEC 60379 

The energy labels with new energy efficiency grading of three prescribed products will become effective on June 30, 2024. 

The revised requirements are mentioned in the new version of code of practice on energy labelling of products 2024 will be fully implemented from September 30, 2025. These three types of products supplied on or after September 30, 2025, shall conform with the requirements of this version of the Code. 

Circular No. 1/2024 also outlines how to meet energy efficiency label requirements during the transitional period. 

• The applicant (a specific individual) for three prescribed products shall submit the relevant form to the Director if they want to use an existing product model before June 30, 2024, or no longer supplies a product model or wants to list a new product model during the transitional period. 
• During the transitional period, energy labels of existing energy efficiency grading for three prescribed products can be used for manufacturing or importing into Hong Kong, allowing for replacement with new labels at the end of the transitional period. 
• On or after September 30, 2025, energy labels of new energy efficiency grading must be used for three prescribed products in the market.

https://www.emsd.gov.hk/energylabel/tc/cop.html#cop

https://www.emsd.gov.hk/energylabel/tc/doc/COP%202024%20(CHI).pdf

https://www.emsd.gov.hk/energylabel/en/doc/MEELS%20Circular%20No.%201-2024.pdf

India adds essential requirements for CCTV Security

On April 9, 2024, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the S.O. 1652(E) Amendment to the “Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021”.  

For CCTV cameras, the following entry of Column (5) is added at S. No. 41 in the Schedule of the “Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.  

“The provisions of the said Order shall apply to the goods or articles as specified in column (2), aside from conforming to the Indian Standard in column (3), it shall also conform to the corresponding Essential Requirement(s) as specified in column (5).”

Essential requirements for the security of CCTV can be briefly summarized as follows:

• Physical Security: Use tamper-resistant camera enclosures and locking mechanisms to deter physical tampering.
• Access Control by Authentication, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and regularly review and update access permissions to reflect personnel changes.
• Network Security by employing encryption of data transmission. 
• Software Security by Regular Updates, Disable Unused Features and Strong Password Policies.
• Penetration Testing: Employ penetration testing to assess the system's resistance to cyberattacks and address vulnerabilities.

This regulation comes on October 9, 2024.

https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Gazette%20notification%20of%20ER%20of%20CCTV.pdf

Colombia updates RETIE regulations

On April 02, 2024, the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Colombia published a revised technical regulation for Reglamento Técnico de Instalaciones Eléctrica (RETIE) covering electrical installations through Resolution 40117. 

The main change is to the concept of equivalency used for compliance with the regulation. Certificates issued previously will remain valid until 15 months after the publication of the present Resolution. 

After that period, only certificates issued by accredited certification body will be accepted.

Reglamento Técnico de Instalaciones Eléctricas - RETIE

France sustainability regulations on electronics

On April 7, 2024, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion published one Decree and three Orders related to the sustainability index of electrical and electronic equipment in the Official Journal 

This index is aimed at informing consumers about the sustainability of relevant products. These products will display a pictogram featuring a score up to 10. Initially, these regulations will apply to two main product categories: 

• Televisions (as of January 7, 2025)  
• Household washing machines (as of April 7, 2025) 

 This update replaces the existing repairability index for televisions and household washing machines, with new criteria related to product reliability.   

The Index is calculated by repairability and the reliability of the equipment, as per the product specific applicable criteria, sub-criteria and rating system. These details must be made available by the sellers to the consumers at the time of the purchase, together with the details of the rating in the format established by the specific Order. 

Additionally, manufacturers or importers must share the score and details of the sustainability index with any person who requests it within five days, free of charge, and in a  digitalformat. 

These same details must also be available publicly on the French Interministerial Portal upon submission by the manufacturers.

1. Decree No. 2024-316 of April 5, 2024 relating to the sustainability index of electrical and electronic equipment

2. Order of April 5, 2024 relating to display methods, signage and general parameters for calculating the durability index of electrical and electronic equipment

3. Order of April 5, 2024 relating to the criteria, sub-criteria and rating system for the calculation and display of the sustainability index of household washing machines

4. Order of April 5, 2024 relating to the criteria, sub-criteria and rating system for the calculation and display of the sustainability index of televisions

Indonesian wireless regulation updates

Kementerian Komunikasi dan Informatika (KOMINFO) of Indonesia issued the Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Informatics No. 3 of 2024 on February 13, 2024, and the Decree of the Minister of Communication and Informatics No. 177 of 2024 on March 7, 2024. 

The Regulation No. 3 of 2024 governs certification of telecommunications equipment and has some important updates as follows: 

• All equipment shall be affixed with warning signs, including devices not classified as short-range devices. Electronic labels are permitted. 
• For cellular phones, handheld computers, and tablets (HKT), test reports must have be issued within five years of the certificate application date. 
• The label must be affixed on the equipment and be featured on the packaging. If the size of the equipment cannot accommodate the label, the label may be placed on the packaging only. 

This document is effective May 23, 2024. Certificates issued based on the previous Regulation No. 16 of 2018 remain valid.

Decree No. 177 of 2024 regulates Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits on mobile phones and tablet computers. Its provisions can be outlined according to the following:

• It sets out SAR Limits for mobile phones and tablet computers that are used at less than 20 cm from the body and have radiated transmit power of more than 20 mW. 
• The references for limitation of specific absorption rate are International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Guideline 1998 (ICNIRP 1998) and ICNIRP 2020. 
• Fulfillment of SAR limits on head will start on April 1, 2024, while on torso/body and limb will start on August 1, 2024. 
• SAR test report must be attached at the time of certificate application. 
• There will be a transition period of two years from the mandatory implementation date of SAR testing for each product. 

The Decree takes effect on the same date as issue date.

Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Informatics No. 3 of 2024
Decree of the Minister of Communication and Informatics No. 177 of 2024

Australian changes on Persistent Organic Pollutants 

On December 12, 2023, the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) published an amendment to Industrial Chemicals Environment Management (IChEMS) Register prohibiting several Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and adds them to Schedules 6 and 7. 

Industrial chemicals under Schedules 6 and 7 to the IChEMS Register have the most environmental concern: 

• Schedule 6 chemicals are industrial chemicals that are likely to cause serious or irreversible harm to the environment with essential uses; and 
• Schedule 7 chemicals have the same characteristics as Schedule 6 chemicals, but without essential uses. 

Prohibitions, restrictions and risk management measures will apply to the following substances and products containing them in different phases, as stated in this Amendment under the Column 3 "Risk Management Measures." -Exemptions from prohibitions are also included.