On June 24, 2026, Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) announced the extension of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) to regulated goods imported for own use, effective July 1, 2026. This amendment to the Energy Conservation Act requires both individuals and companies importing regulated goods for their own use—including air-conditioners, refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions, household water heaters, and three-phase induction motors—to register these products with NEA prior to importation.

Registration is conducted via the ELS Portal, with no fees for registration or renewal. Importers must provide test reports demonstrating compliance with prescribed international standards. Upon approval, a Certificate of Registration (COR) valid for three years is issued. Products must display the required Energy Label or, where space is limited, the tick rating and COR number in advertisements.

Online platforms advertising regulated goods must ensure that only registered and compliant products are listed, with clear energy efficiency information. Non-compliance can result in administrative fines of up to SGD 10,000 and mandatory withdrawal of non-compliant advertisements.

The regulation aims to prevent the import and use of energy-inefficient products, aligning direct imports with the standards applied to goods sold locally. Government support is available for businesses and households to facilitate the adoption of energy-efficient products, reinforcing Singapore’s commitment to sustainability and decarbonisation.

This regulatory change is assessed as High Impact. The extension of MEPS and MELS to regulated goods imported for own use introduces mandatory registration, compliance, and labelling requirements for a broad range of products, affecting both individual and corporate importers as well as online platforms.

Key reasons for High Impact:

• Mandatory compliance for all imports of regulated goods for own use
• Requirement for registration, test reports, and energy labelling
• Enforcement measures and administrative fines for non-compliance
• Obligations for online platforms to monitor and withdraw non-compliant advertisements
• Broad product scope covering major household and commercial appliances

Who is affected?

Importers (individuals and companies), online platforms, manufacturers, suppliers, and end-users of regulated goods.

Conclusion:

The regulation imposes significant new obligations and operational changes for all stakeholders involved in the import, sale, and advertisement of regulated goods, with immediate compliance required from July 1, 2026.