8 June 2005, Hong Kong - Press Release
Business Environment Council Honors 18 Most Outstanding Eco-Products - Fook Tin, Megaman and Philips Receive Top Hong Kong Eco-Products Awards

The Business Environment Council (BEC) today hosted the Award Ceremony of the Hong Kong Eco-Products Award 2005 (HKEPA) at Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel. 18 outstanding Eco-products were selected from over 70 applications from a wide range of product categories, including industrial, electronics, home appliances, packaging, cleansing products and fertilizers, furniture and office supplies.

"It is encouraging to see that applications come from many different product categories, which proves that environmental concerns have been heard and are being responded to across the industrial sectors. Our assessments show that not only are they making a greater commitment to the environment, that they also realize they can achieve a competitive edge through eco-production," said Professor Anna Sohmen, Honorary Patron of HKEPA and Honorary President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.

"This year's winners and indeed many of the award entrants have demonstrated that Hong Kong companies are taking eco-production seriously," noted Dr. Andrew Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of BEC and the Chair of the Judging Panel. "Judges have been treated to a whirling tour de force of recycled, energy efficient, non-toxic, user-friendly, durable, intended WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substance) compliant and recyclable products many with the life cycle analysis to prove it!"

"Product Designers and Engineers can no longer focus only on cosmetics, functionality and user interface, but must take into consideration the life cycle assessment of materials and processes. It is pleasing to note that applicants to the Hong Kong Eco-Products Award 2005 are submitted by small and large companies alike," added Dr. Andrew Chuang, Member of the Judging Panel and Chairman of Design Council of Federation of Hong Kong Industries.

Three rounds of screening and judging were undergone in the past three months and 11 Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were selected. The Gold Awards go to "Terraillon" Glass Electronic Bathroom Scale (TX-655) and "Terraillon" Glass Electronic Body Fat Bathroom Scale (TFX 40) of Fook Tin Technologies Limited, Energy Saving Lamps - LILIPUT PLUS (MU115i) of Megaman (HK) Electrical and Energy Limited, as well as GoGear Digital Camcorder Key019 and Xenium 9@9c Mobile Phone of Philips Electronics Hong Kong Limited.

The Silver Award winners are Constant Voltage Fluorescent Ballast of BillionGroup Technologies Limited and "Play Cushion", "Rollick" Safety Mattings of Jets Technics Limited. The four Bronze Award winners include Infrared Cordless Headphone of Alford Industries Limited, Audio Video Cables (Part no.: A-1642-1002; A-599-0001; A- 353-1102) of LTK Industries Limited, DVD Player DVP520 of Philips Electronics Hong Kong Limited, as well as 100% Degradable Food Containers and Packaging Products of Roots Biopack Limited.

In addition, seven products received Notable Mentions, including Organic Degradable Disposable Wares of Ancon International Marketing Limited, PlusICE-SS-TES-Ball of Boca Environmental Process Systems Limited, Fungal Bioremediation of Gammon Construction, Eco-fence of Hong Kong Environmentalist Recycling Factory Limited, "Concerto" Garden Furniture of Jets Technics Limited, TDP Plastics Bags of Nicole Environmental Services Co. Limited and Setsuryu Save Water System of Totaru Plan (HK) Limited.

HKEPA is set against a backdrop of increasing international consumer demand for environmentally sound products, and tighter regulations on inefficient, toxic and waste generating products. Led by BEC and co-organized by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Federation of Hong Kong Industries and Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, HKEPA is the only products-based program of its kind in Hong Kong to promote environmental responsibility and recognize visionary organizations that design and manufacture groundbreaking products that contribute to the environmental health and significant environmental improvements over comparable products in the market.

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

The Business Environment Council is a leading independent cross-sector business association in Hong Kong advocating sustainable development. Our aim is to balance economic, social and environmental interests whilst empowering competitiveness. We are a regional network partner of World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Press briefing materials are available for downloading:

Award Presentation Ceremony
Commemorative Brochure
(with Winning Products Profile, Judging Panel Biography and Comments)

Welcome Speech
Mr Andrew Long,
Chairman, The Business Environment Council (Speech)

Prof. Anna Sohmen,
Honorary Patron, Hong Kong Eco-Products Award
Honorary President, The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong (Speech)

Mr K. K. Kwok,
Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment) /
Director of Environmental Protection, HKSAR Government (Speech)

Press contact
Estrid Wai, Communications and Marketing Manager, T. 27843922