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by Pravin Mendis

The Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) has invited the attention of the Government and the Ministry of Science and Technology on the need to implement a safety requirements registration scheme for all electrical and electronic appliances that are manufactured locally as well as those imported.

The Deputy Director General of the SLSI, Dr. Srilal de Silva told the Daily News that a committee should be appointed to identify the requirements of the standards that need to be introduced in the electrical and electronic appliance sectors.

Dr. Silva said the Government must support the introduction of such a scheme through the sharing of expenses which has to be incurred for testing and other purposes which will benefit the consumer. It is proposed that the energy saving aspects of any appliance which are used in the market today should be looked into while at the same time focussing on other aspects such as safety. A safety mark scheme for electronic and electrical appliances will help the consumer identify products more suitable for domestic use, Dr. Silva said.

This will also help the Government reduce the energy consumption on the national power grid while helping to reduce the demand on the power supply. There will also be no necessity for a power cut in such an eventuality, he said.

The SLSI has up to now not focused on energy standards. Therefore, the Government must focus on this aspect and help the SLSI in providing technical assistance to initiate such a program for the benefit of the consumer.

However, the SLSI has introduced an energy efficiency labelling scheme which awards certificates to manufacturers and importers for the use of energy efficiency labels with star ratings determined by the SLSI in conformity with the relevant standards for those products manufactured or imported into Sri Lanka. The number of stars on the energy label affixed on a product under this scheme signifies the energy efficiency rating of the product in accordance with the relevant SL standard, Dr. de Silva said.

Already five suppliers of energy efficient ballasts or chokes for fluorescent lamps have obtained energy rating labels with SLSI permission and the backing of the Ceylon Electricity Board.

A draft paper outlining the methods of operations and rules for the SLSI safety requirements registration scheme will be presented to the Government by the SLSI. The scheme prescribed the procedure for safety requirements for electrical, electronic as well as gas appliances and other related products and processes.

The main objectives of this scheme are to safeguard consumers from products and processes which could damage property or self or any other damage. The proposed scheme is designed to ensure that the products and processes covered under it meet the necessary levels of health and safety requirements.

The safety requirements registration scheme also provides for the testing of the relevant products or processes according to the relevant safety standards in an acceptable laboratory if the certificate of approval is not available, while the SLSI will make on site assessment to evaluate the process and reports, according to this draft.

A safety mark registration committee will determine the granting of registration for the products and processes under this scheme.

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