Electrical goods target of energy law

DUBAI // A new law aims to set a higher standard of energy efficiency for electrical appliances as early as next year.

Dr Rashid bin Fahad, the Minister of Environment and Water, said the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology was drafting the law.

"Hopefully we can see it next year," said Dr bin Fahad, adding that the initiative is one quick way to address the soaring energy consumption.

The Minister yesterday attended Greenomics, an environmental conference in Dubai, organised by the Korean manufacturer LG Electronics.

Dr bin Fahad did not elaborate on how the law would be implemented or enforced but said inefficient models "will be taken out of the market".

He added that the law would apply to appliances using water.

"Improving our energy efficiency is a must and I do not think consumers will disagree with us," he said.

Ki Wan Kim, chief executive and president of LG for the Middle East and Africa, said such initiatives can bring profound changes to the market.

"Vendors who get their market share based only on price will suffer," he added.

The Ministry of Environment and Water is also drafting a strategy on managing the country's water and reviewing law 24 of 1999, which concerns the protection of the environment.