September 14, 2007, Bangkok - Thai producers and exporters of electrical and electronics products will win big in the world market if they can collectively produce environmentally safe products - this was the main message echoed yesterday during the Thailand’s Electrical and Electronic Green Society International Conference 2007 (TEEGS 2007).
Hundreds of international academics, regulators and operators of the world’s electrical and electronics (EE) industry congregated on Friday took part in the country’s first international conference on green electrical products, aimed at improving local EE producers’ technical understandings of how importing countries are enforcing new regulations regarding electrical products.
Organized by Thailand’s Electrical and Electronics Institute (EEI), the two-day conference is part of the Bangkok Electrical and Electronics (E&E) 2007 and Bangkok RHVAC 2007 exhibitions, held at the BITEC exhibition center on Bangkok Trat.
“The time is now ripe for Thai producers of EE products to seize the opportunity to propel Thai industries from being merely an assembly base economy to become one that develops value-added goods developed with our own technology,” said Charuek Hengrasmee, president of the EEI.
“But we need to create a ‘green society’ by increasing awareness for both Thai producers and consumers that the advanced economies now desire products that are environmentally friendly,” he added. “But we must not waste anytime.”
During the first day of the conference, academics and delegates from important importers and producers of EE goods such as European Union, Japan, China and Korea outlined existing challenges for Thai EE producers to overcome as well as identified opportunities and warned of what to watch for.
“The EU is concerned with the disposing of waste from electrical and electronics equipment (WEEE) and the restriction of use of hazardous substances (ROHS) and are beginning to favor eco-design products that conserve energy,” said Jean-Marc Alexandre, consultant of the Centre for Energy environment Resources Development.
He also cautioned audiences that although EU engages in dialogues with Asian producers, through the Asian Europe meeting (ASEM) platform, regarding formulation of regulations but they enact their policies unilaterally.
Alexandre also advised local producers to take advantage of EU support through a general framework of cooperation but the assistance will be in form of technical assistance for social infrastructure like HR or environment rather than financial support.
Michikazu Kojima of Japan’s Institute of Developing Economics recounted that Japan was one of the first Asian countries to initiate drives towards regulating EE production to comply with environmental safety but the success was also due to efforts spearheaded by individual companies.
“There is a collective action plan by manufacturers to achieve green products but individual companies also made good contributions,” he said.
Kojima also singled out companies like Fuitsu, Sony and Ricoh as implementing measures in recycling, eco-labeling, hazardous substance limitation and conserving energy.
According to Dr. Dongmei Guo, of the Chinese Institute for International Environmental Policy, stated told local audiences that China now has serious green policies in place in forms of draft legislations.
“Although the draft has not been approved due to some discrepancies but the theme of the laws are now in practice,” she said. “Some industries actually benefited from lower production costs like air-conditioning production while others still need government subsidies.”
China’s general EE concerns are management of EE waste, promotion of green and clean production and importation of EE waste, Guo said.
The TEEGS also provided a clearer idea for local producers of different countries policies. Although each country has a standard of their own, on the overall, they all complies with EE standards of the EU.
Junsik Yoon, of Korean’s Eco-Frontier said that Korean’s new environmental regulations is in form of Act for Resource Recycling of Electrical/Electronic Products and Automobiles (ARREA) which is comparable to the EU standards but will cover more products in the future including medical equipment.
His advise for Thai exporters to Korea is to keep a close watch on the progress of green laws.
“There are rapid changes in Korea at the moment until the end of the year so exporters to Korea must keep a close watch on the situation to see how to comply with new regulations being put in place,” he said.
More talks by international experts will continue at the TEEGS 2007 at BITEC today (September 15) highlighting on a regional EE talk on green society networking.
But the bottom-line of Thai exporters and producers is to focus on an area of expertise that Thailand has an advantage on but to push it through as a united front, according to the EEI president.
“We are now pushing for eco-designs for Thai products which we feel will provide an edge for our export advantage,” he said. “Thailand is now in a good position to capitalize on the changes in the world EE industry.”
The Bangkok E&E 2007 and Bangkok RHVAC 2007 are being held alongside the Thailand International Logistics Fair 2007 - the largest and most comprehensive logistics trade show in ASEAN. The three fairs will be held until Sunday, September 16 at BITEC
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