MELS and MEPS Rules for Own-Use Imports 2026

Singapore extended the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) from 1 July 2026 to cover regulated goods imported by end users for their own use. The change applies to businesses and households that import covered goods directly, including through online marketplaces; it is separate from the existing requirements for goods imported for sale (NEA, 24 June 2026).

Goods and people covered

The six regulated-goods groups are air-conditioners, refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions, household water heaters and three-phase induction motors. NEA's detailed scope includes portable and three-phase variable-refrigerant-flow air-conditioners, commercial storage refrigerators and other specified subcategories. The rule concerns end users importing regulated goods for their own use; it does not make every imported product or every household appliance subject to the same registration process (NEA, 24 June 2026).

The Energy Conservation Act was amended on 8 April 2026 to extend MELS and MEPS requirements to regulated goods imported by end users for their own use. Before that extension, similar goods imported for sale were regulated, while the own-use category was not covered in the same way. The extension is intended to reduce the risk that households and businesses lock themselves into higher lifecycle energy costs and carbon emissions through inefficient direct imports (NEA, 24 June 2026).

Registration before import

From 1 July 2026, an end user intending to import a covered regulated good for own use must register the good with NEA through the Energy Labelling Scheme portal before importing it into Singapore. NEA approval results in a Certificate of Registration (COR), which is valid for three years and renewable. Registration and renewal are free, and NEA states that applications are processed within seven working days (NEA, 24 June 2026).

Applicants should confirm that the model meets the relevant MEPS requirements before registration. NEA's listed documents include CorpPass for companies, SingPass for individuals, a test report for the model and any other documents required for the particular equipment. A supplier or manufacturer test report may be relied on where it meets the prescribed standards; the registration process is therefore model-specific rather than a blanket approval for an importer's entire product range (NEA, 24 June 2026).

Advertising and support boundaries

From 1 July 2026, advertisements for non-compliant regulated goods, including online advertisements, are not allowed. Visual advertisements must feature the Energy Label next to the product image or description; where space is limited, the energy-efficiency tick rating and COR number must be prominently displayed. These rules concern regulated goods marketing and compliance, not a general ban on importing all second-hand or overseas products (NEA, 24 June 2026).

Eligible SMEs in Food Services and Manufacturing may use the EnterpriseSG Energy Efficiency Grant for pre-approved energy-efficient regulated goods. Singaporean and permanent-resident HDB households, and Singapore Citizen households in private residential properties, may use Climate Vouchers for eligible goods under the enhanced Climate Friendly Households Programme. Those support schemes are separate from NEA's mandatory registration and compliance rules (NEA, 24 June 2026).