MECCT launches “Hakathari” label for energy efficient electrical appliances.

Energy Efficiency Labelling Program by the name of “Hakathari” was launched by The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology (MECCT), allowing consumers to identify the energy efficiency levels of appliances. It also ensures that the electrical appliances that enter the Maldivian market meet the necessary efficiency standards prescribed by the program. Making sure consumers get to make informed purchases based on an appliance’s energy efficiency level. 

The development of the Hakathari Program was carried out as a large-scale collaborative effort by MECCT assisted by United Nations Environment Program (UN Environment) and financed by Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the “Strengthening Low Carbon Energy Island Strategies” project. 

Inaugurated by Honorable Aminath Shauna, the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology, stating: “the Hakathari labeling program will enable us to save energy and reduce expenditures on energy. Additionally, this program will aid in achieving the climate targets of the Maldives.” 

The overall objective of this project is to mainstream energy efficiency measures into policies, guidelines, standards, and building practices in the Maldives and to achieve a substantial reduction of GHG emissions as a result of improved buildings and building management practices and to leverage substantial investment in activities leading to increased energy efficiency. 

Electrical appliances have offered an unmatched level of convenience in our day-to-day lives. However, the cost of using them can run high due to their electricity usage. Therefore, it is important to choose energy-efficient electrical appliances which are made possible through the Hakathari program. 

In order to participate in the Hakathari Program, importers should first get themselves registered under the program and thereafter get approval for energy efficiency labeling before they intend to bring a Hakathari labeled appliance into the country. The type of appliances initially selected for the program is Air conditioners, Refrigerators, and Washing machines. The importers are required to ensure that the label is as per the specifications given by the Ministry and the labels should be affixed to the appliance before the appliance is imported. The label has 5 efficiency levels. More stars indicate a higher efficiency and the most efficient product will be given 5 stars, while the least efficient product will be given 1 star.