The Quality Powered Mechanical Equipment (QPME) system was first developed in 2005 as an Administrative System by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to benchmark construction equipment items that are new, notably quieter, more environmentally friendly and efficient by QPME Labels.1 The QPME system is to reflect the state-of-the-art construction equipment, to facilitate the Construction Noise Permit (CNP) application process, and at the same time supports the "Pay for Safety and Environment" concept of the Works Branch of the Development Bureau. As from April 2008, the capital expenditure on QPME can be deducted from Profits Tax.2.
To facilitate the business operation of relevant stakeholders and public enquiry on the status of QPME, information of all QPME Labels, including both valid and expired, as well as the photos of the QPME would be available in the EPD QPME Database for the public information and the QPME owner login to download.
Eligibility for QPME Label
Fifteen types of common use construction equipment, including (1) tracked bulldozer; (2) wheeled bulldozer; (3) tracked loader; (4) wheeled loader; (5) excavator; (6) generator; (7) mobile crane; (8) vibratory roller; (9) road roller; (10) asphalt paver; (11) vibratory compactor; (12) power rammer; (13) hand held percussive breaker; (14) air compressor; and, (15) concrete crusher, are included in the QPME system, with the last 3 types being newly included for trial starting from 1st April, 2016 . EPD would keep reviewing the existing system as well as promoting the types of equipment in the list.
Construction equipment, showing compliance with noise limits stipulated in Article 12 of the Directive 2000/14/EC relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors of the European Union (EU) (hereinafter referred as Directive 2000/14/EC) OR having been designated and issued with Low Noise or Super Low Noise Emission Label under the relevant Low Noise Construction Equipment Regulations by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan, are eligible for QPME Labels. For the essential supporting documents, please refer to “How to apply, update and renew QPME Label?”.4
A mounted type concrete crusher on its own as an attachment unit, or a concrete crusher mounted on a carrier as an integral unit, would also be eligible for QPME Label application. In case of the mounted type of concrete crusher, the applicant shall provide information to justify that it will be attached to a quality carrier to be mounted (such as QPME labeled machine). QPME Label of mounted type concrete crusher should only be valid when the concrete crusher is mounted on a compatible QPME or other quality carriers considered acceptable by EPD.
However, equipment with the following specifications are normally excluded from the QPME system:
- excavators, loaders and dozers with output power equal to or more than 500 kW; or
- generators with output power equal to or more than 400 kW; or
- air compressor with output power equal to or more than 350 kW; or
- other equipment types under Article 13 of the Directive 2000/14/EC (e.g. paver-finisher equipped with high compaction screed);
(However, if it could be demonstrated that the noise performance from equipment with these specifications could comply with relevant noise limits imposed for similar series of equipment, EPD would however only consider such QPME Label application on a case-by-case basis.)
Validity of QPME Label and Renewal Arrangement
The QPME system was refined on 1st April 2013 to introducing the validity period of each QPME Label and renewal of QPME Label. As from 1st April 20133, the QPME Labels of new equipment (i.e. aged below one) will have the validity period up to 6 years from the date of issuance. For equipment aged below 6 (counting from the date of manufacture), the validity period of the first Label will be diminishingly apportioned in accordance with Table 1 shown below:
Table 1
|
Age of Equipment (i.e. years between date of application and the date of manufacture) |
Validity Period of QPME Label (from the date of issuance) |
|---|---|
|
Less than one year of age since manufacture |
6 years |
|
Over 1 year but not exceeding 2 years of age since manufacture |
5 years |
|
Over 2 years but not exceeding 3 years of age since manufacture |
4 years |
|
Over 3 years but not exceeding 4 years of age since manufacture |
3 years |
|
Over 4 years but not exceeding 5 years of age since manufacture |
2 years |
|
Over 5 years but not exceeding 6 years of age since manufacture |
1 year |
Applications from equipment aged 6 and above are normally not accepted. Moreover, for those QPME with validity of Labels to be expired, the applicants may make renewal application, within 6 months before the date of expiry, by demonstrating the QPME still maintains its quality performance in operation and with quality noise emission complying with the relevant requirements. Details please refer to the “How to apply, update and renew QPME Label?”. 4
Notes:
1. The aim of QPME Label scheme is primarily for newly manufactured powered mechanical equipment. After servicing for a long period in harsh operation conditions and rugged construction sites, a piece of powered mechanical equipment may lose its "excellence" elements and its sound emission and environmental performance would have deteriorated.
2 For detailed taxation arrangement, please read the relevant Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes No. 5 of Inland Revenue Department (http://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/dipn05.pdf) and enquire the Inland Revenue Department direct.
3 For those QPME Labels (without the date of expiry marked on the Labels) issued before 1st April 2013, the validity period of the Labels will be expired on 1st April 2019. For those QPME Labels issued on or after 1st April 2013, there will be expiry dates marked on the Labels.
4 It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit adequate documents to demonstrate the concerned equipment has fulfilled the QPME principle, that is, the item should be new, quieter, environmental friendly and efficient. In any circumstances, EPD has the right to seek for more information (including the original copies of all submitted documents) from the applicant to enable assessment of whether the equipment concerned is in good quality.