The Samoa Minimum Energy Performance Labelling and Standards (M.E.P.L.S.) concluded a two-day training on electrical appliances at the T.A.T.T.E. convention center yesterday. 

It was the final phase of a three-phase training strategy developed and agreed to by the Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standards (P.A.L.S.) participating countries in 2015. 

“The P.A.L.S. programme assists several Pacific Island countries to adopt laws to standardise selected appliance performance standards by using the same performance standards and energy labelling as used in Australia and New Zealand,” said Assistant Chief Executive and Energy Sector Coordinator, Sione Foliaki.

He said the training targeted the Energy Efficiency Act and regulations and practical demonstrations.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) was a session for regulators where they went through the administrative procedures ensuring that these procedures are in accordance with the Act and the regulation, and a hands-on session on the use of the product registration database.

“Today’s (Thursday) session is for the electrical appliance importers and retailers and will focus on the new Energy Efficiency Act and regulation, as well as practical demonstrations on the use of the product registration database.

“Electrical appliance suppliers, importers, wholesalers and retailers are important stakeholders in ensuring that the electrical appliances they import, sell and use are in accordance with the adopted legislation.

“The discussion today (yesterday) also intended to address issues of concern to the importers and regulators and empower them to better manage and better control our energy sector.”

Ministry of Finance Legal Consultant, Salote Peteru, spoke and elaborated on the Energy Efficiency Act 2017 purposes, functions and consequences on the database registration.

The training was also attended by regional Pacific Appliance Labelling and Standards coordinator, Makareta Lomaloma, from Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and Australian consultant, George Wilkenfield.

 “So far, five Pacific Island Countries have now adopted the laws on appliance energy labelling and standard including Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, with five other countries likely to follow, such as Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea and Tonga,” Mr. Wilkenfield said. 

Mr. Foliaki added this workshop is timely given that Samoa adopted its Energy Efficiency Act in December 2017 and the corresponding Energy Efficiency Regulation in March earlier this year.

He added through the workshop, they expect participants to understand how to go through the processes and procedures, especially the registering any energy using products before importing them to avoid penalties.