Latest news with #Labelling
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Star rating, QR code, origin: Labels on ACs, TVs, fridges to get a revamp
In a major step to help consumers pick genuine and energy-efficient products, new labelling norms are being introduced for appliances such as ACs, refrigerators, washing machines, TVs, ceiling fans, geysers, and solar PV modules, according to a report by The Economic Times. The labels will soon carry more detailed and user-friendly information, including the product's energy consumption, brand details, country of origin, star rating, and a QR code for traceability. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, issued a notification on July 10 for the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Appliance Labelling) Regulations, 2025. These rules will replace older labelling guidelines for white goods and will also cover several commercial products. New programme to replace old ACs with energy-efficient alternatives The Ministry of Power, in coordination with the BEE, is developing a new initiative aimed at helping households replace air conditioners (ACs) older than a decade with newer, more energy-efficient alternatives. The proposed programme will likely include financial incentives to encourage the switch to five-star rated ACs, which consume much less electricity. India has seen a sharp rise in AC sales, jumping from 8.4 million units in 2021–22 to nearly 11 million in 2023–24. This reflects growing demand for cooling, especially as temperatures continue to rise. According to government estimates, buildings in India used nearly 500 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity last year, with cooling accounting for around 25 per cent of this. Most ACs over 10 years old are rated below three stars, making them significantly less efficient than current models. BEE states that replacing these with five-star rated units could help households save up to ₹6,300 annually in electricity costs while easing stress on the power grid during peak summer. Mandatory temperature limits proposed to improve energy use India is also considering setting a national temperature range for all air conditioners — including those in buildings and vehicles — to between 20 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius. This would be the first time such limits are made mandatory. The idea is to reduce power demand spikes, lower electricity bills, and improve energy use efficiency. While some ACs currently allow settings as low as 16 degrees Celsius or as high as 30 degrees Celsius, the new rule would cap those extremes. According to a 2020 BEE directive, all star-labelled ACs — whether for rooms or vehicles — must have a default setting of 24 degrees Celsius. Commercial buildings are allowed to adjust this range slightly, between 24 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius, to balance comfort and power savings.
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Consumer Council Of Fiji Launches Label Logic Report Urging Stronger Labelling Standards For Healthier Consumer Choices
The Consumer Council of Fiji today officially launched its much-anticipated research report titled 'Label Logic: How Effective Labelling Policies Can Influence Better Consumer Choices in Fiji' at the Southern Cross Hotel in Suva. The event, developed in partnership with the Anne Fransen Fund and Consumers International, was officiated by the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica. It brought together key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors—including government ministries, food industry representatives, health professionals, development partners, civil society organisations, and members of the media—for a robust dialogue on improving food labelling standards in Fiji. In her opening remarks, Consumer Council CEO Ms. Seema Shandil emphasised that labelling is not a niche issue but a matter of public health and consumer rights. 'A label should be a tool for empowerment—not confusion. Our findings reveal that even educated consumers struggle to make sense of food labels, while those in rural or disadvantaged communities are often left completely in the dark,' she stated. 'This report is not just timely—it is essential.' The Label Logic report, which draws from a wide-ranging study including policy reviews, consumer surveys, and industry interviews, exposes the significant barriers Fijians face when trying to make informed food choices. The report finds that many labels use technical or misleading terms, are difficult to read, and often lack critical information—ultimately failing to serve their intended purpose. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading In launching the report, Hon. Kamikamica emphasised the Government's support for consumer rights and health protection. 'This report provides a blueprint for reform which is grounded in global best practice, backed by evidence, and shaped by the lived realities of Fijian consumers. It calls for front-of-pack warning labels. Standardised nutritional tables,' he said. 'And to those who argue that change is expensive, I say this: The cost of reform pales in comparison to the cost of inaction, measured in amputations, in dialysis, in lost productivity, and in preventable deaths.' Among its key recommendations, the report calls for the adoption of front-of-pack warning labels, standardised nutrition panels, stricter oversight on marketing claims, and public education to improve food label literacy. These reforms aim to make food labels easier to understand, more transparent, and useful to all Fijians. The Council also announced that the report will serve as the foundation for a nationwide consumer awareness campaign aimed at improving understanding of food labels and encouraging healthier food choices. 'This is not about punishing businesses,' Ms. Shandil added. 'It is about lifting standards—so that every Fijian, no matter where they live or what they earn, has access to clear, honest information about the food they consume.' The Consumer Council of Fiji thanks all stakeholders and partners who contributed to the successful launch of the report and calls on the public to support this movement for stronger, fairer, and more transparent food labelling practices.
RTÉ News
03-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Could household cleaning products end up dirtying indoor air?
Analysis: When we clean, the goal is to remove dirt and germs, but in the process, we often introduce harmful chemicals into the air Household cleaning products are among the most widely used consumer goods, found in nearly every home. Their use, along with disinfectants, saw a marked rise during the pandemic. As early as 3000 BCE, ancient Egyptians used soda as a detergent, and Romans employed urine (which contains ammonia) for textile cleaning. While using chemicals for cleaning is not new, today's widespread use of these products, containing of a wide range of synthetic compounds has introduced new risks. Regulations like the 2008 Classification, Labelling, and Packaging regulation in the EU have aimed to improve safety. However, more awareness and action are needed to protect public health. When we clean, the goal is to remove dirt and germs. But in the process, we often introduce harmful chemicals into the air. Cleaning products, including disinfectants, frequently contain surfactants, acids, bases, and synthetic fragrances. Historically, some formulations included concerning substances like chloroform and endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates and cyclosiloxanes, though EU regulations have significantly restricted these substances in consumer products to concentrations below 0.1%. Awareness however is warranted since there may be risks associated with cumulative accumulation of some of these chemical. When applied to surfaces, these products gradually emit volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs, SVOCs). These emissions can also trigger the formation of fine particulate matter by reacting with other chemicals in indoor air. The result is a mix of pollutants that lingers in the air, long after cleaning is done. For example, spraying cleaning products can release fine particles and gases directly into the air. While larger particles settle quickly on to surfaces, contributing to emissions from surfaces, the smaller particles remain suspended and can be inhaled. Regular use of spray based cleaning products is considered a greater risk than other types of cleaning products, leading to higher frequency of respiratory symptoms. Even "green" or "natural" products, often marketed as safer alternatives, can emit harmful chemicals. Essential-oil-based cleaners, for instance, contain terpenes, like limonene. Limonene is a common fragrance ingredient and one of the most abundant indoor pollutants. We associate it with that fresh lime or lemon smell. Limonene use must comply with allergen labelling requirements in the EU. Limonene reacts with ozone in the air to form formaldehyde and other secondary pollutants. The concentrations of the pollutants thus reached may reduce at a very slow pace, depending on the ventilation in homes. These reactions can also lead to the creation of particulate matter and photochemical smog indoors, further degrading air quality. Studies have found that cleaning in the afternoon, when outdoor ozone levels are higher, can worsen this effect, with pollutant concentrations remaining elevated for hours. The health implications of exposure to cleaning products are well-documented. Professional cleaners endure a lot higher exposure due to their occupation. This has been linked to increased risks of asthma, rhinitis, and respiratory symptoms. At home, even though the exposure is lesser, regular use of cleaning products have been associated with asthma onset and asthma-like symptoms. Skin contact with cleaning agents can cause irritation, especially when protective clothing is not used. For home scenarios, a 90-minute cleaning session, once a week, may not raise a concern about chronic exposure. During the cleaning, there can be risks related to acute exposures, even to some trace elements in the products or due to secondary formation of chemicals. The first symptoms are often irritation of the respiratory tract (nose and throat) and eyes. From RTÉ Radio 1's The Ray D'Arcy Show, Laura de Barra's guide to deep cleaning your kitchen Children are particularly vulnerable. Exposure to cleaning products has been known to affect lung function, cause airway obstruction, and trigger inflammation in children. Spray cleaners, in particular, can be especially harmful due to their ability to disperse fine particles and chemicals in a form that can be breathed deep into the respiratory system. While "green" cleaning products are often marketed as safer, research shows that they are not always free from harmful emissions. However, fragrance-free products tend to emit fewer VOCs compared to conventional cleaning products. Improving indoor air quality requires not only better product formulations but also increased public awareness. Clear labeling, education on safe cleaning practices, and stricter regulations on hazardous substances can all help. By making informed choices and adopting safer cleaning habits, we can reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and create healthier indoor environments for ourselves and our families. Here are some specific, practical steps to follow: Read Labels: Look for products with clear ingredient lists and avoid those containing essential oils, phthalates and formaldehyde. Choose: Prefer fragrance-free or low-VOC cleaning products and not just "natural" products. At home, you can also choose ready-to-use products instead of ones that need to be diluted before every use. Avoid Sprays: Use liquid or wipe-based cleaners instead of sprays to minimise inhalation risks. Protection: Wear gloves while cleaning and use appropriate respiratory protection. The latter is especially important for professionals. Ventilate: Open windows and/or doors, use exhaust fans during and after cleaning to dilute the indoor pollutants. Timing Matters: Where possible, clean when the space is not occupied and finish several hours beforehand to allow the pollutants to dissipate. For schools and offices, this could mean cleaning after hours. At home, clean in the morning when outdoor ozone levels are lower to reduce the formation of secondary pollutants.
Malaysian Reserve
02-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
No summons during grace period for medicine price display, says MOH
PUTRAJAYA — The Health Ministry (MOH) does not intend to issue any fines or notices to private healthcare facilities that fail to display medicine prices during the three-month grace period. Health deputy director-general (Pharmaceutical Services) Dr Azuana Ramli said the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Labelling for Medicines) Order 2025, which came into force on May 1, would initially focus on educational aspects to ensure all stakeholders understand the new requirements. 'During these three months, there are no plans to issue any summons. This phase is focused on advocacy and monitoring how the implementation is being carried out,' she said at a briefing session on the Medicine Price Display initiative here today. Also present was Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam. Under the order, all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies must display clear price labels for medicines, either on shelves, in catalogues or in written price lists. Azuana said that during these three months, monitoring would be led by the MOH's Pharmaceutical Services Division, supported by KPDN enforcement officers. Asked whether the initiative constitutes price control, she clarified that it aims to enhance price transparency under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and not about controlling medicine prices. Meanwhile, Azman refuted claims by a private doctors' group that KPDN officers issued three-day warning notices to clinics yesterday. He explained that the enforcement team was in the area for inspections related to cooking gas and egg supplies, and happened to ask a clinic staff member about the implementation of the price display rule. 'No notices or summonses were issued,' he said. Asked about the possibility of price manipulation in response to the regulation, Azman expressed confidence in the industry's maturity. The medicine price display initiative aims to enhance price transparency, protect consumer and patient rights, improve the quality of healthcare services, promote healthy industry competition, and support informed decision-making by consumers. — BERNAMA
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
No summons during grace period for medicine price display
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) does not intend to issue any fines or notices to private healthcare facilities that fail to display medicine prices during the three-month grace period. Health deputy director-general (Pharmaceutical Services) Dr Azuana Ramli said the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Labelling for Medicines) Order 2025, which came into force on May 1, would initially focus on educational aspects to ensure all stakeholders understand the new requirements. 'During these three months, there are no plans to issue any summons. This phase is focused on advocacy and monitoring how the implementation is being carried out,' she said at a briefing session on the Medicine Price Display initiative here today. Also present was Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) Enforcement director-general Datuk Azman Adam. Under the order, all private healthcare facilities and community pharmacies must display clear price labels for medicines, either on shelves, in catalogues or in written price lists. Azuana said that during these three months, monitoring would be led by the MOH's Pharmaceutical Services Division, supported by KPDN enforcement officers. Asked whether the initiative constitutes price control, she clarified that it aims to enhance price transparency under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and not about controlling medicine prices. Meanwhile, Azman refuted claims by a private doctors' group that KPDN officers issued three-day warning notices to clinics yesterday. He explained that the enforcement team was in the area for inspections related to cooking gas and egg supplies, and happened to ask a clinic staff member about the implementation of the price display rule. 'No notices or summonses were issued,' he said. Asked about the possibility of price manipulation in response to the regulation, Azman expressed confidence in the industry's maturity. The medicine price display initiative aims to enhance price transparency, protect consumer and patient rights, improve the quality of healthcare services, promote healthy industry competition, and support informed decision-making by consumers.
