MELS and MEPS Extension to Own-Use Imports (1 July 2026)

From 1 July 2026, individuals and businesses importing regulated goods into Singapore for their own use must register the goods with the National Environment Agency (NEA) before importing them and ensure compliance with the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) and Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). NEA issues a free Certificate of Registration (COR) after approval; the COR is valid for three years and renewable, with applications processed within seven working days (NEA, 24 June 2026).

The six regulated categories are air-conditioners, refrigerators including commercial storage refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions, household water heaters, and three-phase induction motors. Importers should check the applicable MEPS, obtain the required test report and submit through NEA’s ELS Portal; individuals use SingPass and companies use CorpPass for the registration process. This is an import-and-registration requirement for own-use goods, not merely a label displayed at a Singapore retail shop.

From the same date, advertising non-compliant regulated goods—including on online platforms—is prohibited. Visual advertisements must show the relevant Energy Label beside the product image or description, or, where space is limited, prominently show the tick rating and COR number. NEA states that the rules extend existing sale requirements to own-use imports so consumers and businesses are not locked into inefficient goods and their higher lifecycle energy costs. Eligible households and some SMEs may also use the Climate Friendly Households Programme or EnterpriseSG’s Energy Efficiency Grant, subject to those schemes’ separate eligibility rules.