PCAIT drives green initiative

New Delhi: Progressive Channels Association of IT (PCAIT) recently held a workshop on Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for its members.

The workshop aimed to educate the channel partners about energy efficiency and compliance issues. BEE has already announced that beginning January 7, 2010 four energy intensive appliances/products would come under the mandatory labeling. The list includes transformers, ACs, fluorescent lamps and refrigerators. By July 2010, three more energy guzzlers-color TVs, LPG stoves and electric motors will also come under this labeling.

While for PCs the label is currently optional, a few years down the line the government may make energy efficiency compliance mandatory for all industries. The workshop was a bid to get partners involved in this process and to prepare them for such a scenario.

Speaking at the event, Saket Kapur, General Secretary, PCAIT and MD, Green Vision, said, "The initiative is to make the channel aware about green components and show them how they can capitalize on the opportunity." Kapur also extended an offer to channel partners and associations in other regions to send in their queries about the subject to PCAIT.

It may be recalled that during a meeting in May this year, BEE formed two committees to take care of the implementation process of the energy efficiency labeling initiative—the steering committee and the technical committee. The steering committee comprises Manufacturers Association of IT (MAIT), Nasscom, PCAIT, Mumbai-based Trade Association of IT (TAIT) as well as PC manufacturers. The technical committee would comprise laboratories across the country, which will set the technical standards.