29 May 2007 - Press release

The Hong Kong Eco-Products Award 2007, the only program of its kind in Hong Kong to honour green excellence and promote product responsibility, is now open for entries. Into the fourth year, the lead organizer Business Environment Council (BEC) takes this as a timely initiative to engage product designers, manufacturers and consumers to address climate change.

"Sustainable production and consumption is one of the hot topics of 21st Century Agenda globally. Corporate social responsibility is gaining importance across industries. More and more large corporations, and even small and medium enterprises are taking more proactive measures to minimize environmental impact in a product life cycle. This is a most sustainable approach to produce a product and run a business." Mr Stephen Fong, Chairman of BEC said.

"Governments worldwide are already on its way to encourage the production of eco-friendly products. More stringent environmental legislations to control the environmental impacts arising throughout a product's life-cycle will be imposed. For example, EU's Energy Using Products (EuP) Directive, which encompasses the entire life-cycle of the product, from design through manufacturing to use and disposal, will be put into force in August 2007. Some governments even take a more aggressive step to ban the use of certain kinds of products for its poor environmental performance. For example, both Australia and Canada announced to ban the sale of incandescent light bulbs by the year of 2010 and 2012 respectively," Mr Fong explained.

"At the same time, local and worldwide trends also show increasing demand for goods manufactured by companies that exhibit sound environmental and social responsibility," added Mr Fong. "Increasing number of surveys show that consumers have preference in buying these kinds of eco-products and are willing to pay more for these products. "

According to a recent study by Co-operative Financial Services (CFS), more than 82% of UK consumers would choose to buy an eco-friendly product over a non-eco friendly product. Similar findings were concluded by the Green Council locally. Over 75% of respondents will include environmental consideration during purchasing and nearly 80% of them are willing to pay more for these eco-products. However, in the same survey also showed that about 60% of people identified difficulties when purchasing green products, as there is lack of such information in the market.

"Education is imperative in driving green manufacturing and consumption. The Award aims to play an important role in the education of the industries and public," noted Dr Andrew Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of BEC and Chair of the Award Judging Panel. "Designing and manufacturing, buying and using products with less overall environmental impacts can help reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission. It is the most sustainable means to minimize environmental impact and address the climate change issue."

HKSAR Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang also stated that "every small step taken by each individual to support the clean-air initiatives in our daily lives can help reduce air pollution." The Air Pollution Control Ordinance (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation, effective from 1 April 2007, has been putting Hong Kong on a par with the internationally most stringent Californian standards, and in a leading position in the region to impose VOC limits on selected products.

"The Government is starting off to push forward environmental legislation and education, while businesses are preparing for a carbon restrained world." Dr Thomson said. "All businesses must take stock of their climate foot-print, and take appropriate actions."

"Award participants benefit not only from gaining recognition for their product excellence, but also opening up new market opportunities. They can also learn through the award assessment how they can further improve their products from cradle to cradle," stressed Dr Thomson. "Eco-Production is not only a trend, but also a proactive response to the global appeal for green consumerism."

"The Award assessment itself is comprehensive and valuable. We learn a great deal on how to further enhance our product from design through production and even end-of-life disposal and treatment. Since winning the Gold Award last year, our product gains both local and global recognition. Our corporate and brand image have also been reinforced via the media partners and publicity channels of Business Environment Council." said Dr King Cheng, Director of Roots Biopack, the 2006 Gold Award winner. "It is also a sustainable way to do business when we take care of the social costs."

Led by BEC, co-organized by The Chinese Manufacturer's Association of Hong Kong, The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, The Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Award gives recognition for environmental excellence across the product life-cycle from design, manufacture, packaging and transportation, use through disposal or recycle.

The Award is now open for entries until 20 July 2007. Assessment for qualified entries will be conducted by a panel of judges comprising Hong Kong and overseas experts from industry, government, non-government and research organizations between July to September 2007, with the award presentation scheduled in October 2007. Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be given to winners.

Notes to the Editor
Eligibility of the Award:

• All consumer products available in Hong Kong market for at least 6 months but not more than 2 years.
• "Consumer products" refer to products that are purchased by final consumers for personal consumption.
• The applicant must be a company or organization which operates in Hong Kong and must possess a valid Business Registration Certificate.
• Designing firms, trading companies or agents are welcome to enter the award with the permission from the products proprietary right owners.
• Environmental aspects to be considered in the assessment include resource consumption (energy, water, materials, etc), recycled content and recyclability, avoidance of hazardous substances, durability and life expectancy, as well as repairability. Consideration is also given for quality, innovation and marketability.

About the Business Environment Council (www.bec.org.hk/)

The Business Environment Council (BEC) is an independent, non-profit organization set up by business for business as an environmental solutions provider. BEC's services include consultancy, research, training and award programs for companies across all sectors and at any stage of their corporate sustainability journey. BEC is a membership organization based in Hong Kong with offices in Beijing and Shenzhen.

BEC's Council Members include CLP, China Resources Enterprise, Gammon Construction, Great Eagle Company, Hongkong Electric Company, HSBC, Hongkong International Terminals, Jardine Pacific, Kowloon-Canton Railway, KMB, PCCW, Shell, the Swire Group, Modern Terminals and Wheelock. BEC's broader membership extends to a network of more than 20,000 companies.

Press contact
Ms Estrid Wai, Head of Communications and Marketing, T. (852) 2784 3912
Ms Wendy Lam, Communications Specialist, T. (852) 2784 3922