BEE Initiates Recall of Hitachi Products with Poor Star Ratings; Scrutiny Extends to Other Home Appliance Firms
In a significant development, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has taken proactive steps to recall Hitachi products with subpar star ratings, signaling a commitment to uphold consumer rights and energy efficiency standards. Several other home appliance companies are also under investigation as part of this quality assurance drive.
In response to these actions, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited issued a press statement reaffirming its commitment to producing high-quality products that adhere to global and local standards. The company expressed appreciation for BEE’s efforts and actively participates in advancing sustainable energy efficiency through technological innovation. The statement also emphasized their dedication to maintaining consumer trust by investing in the delivery of top-notch products.
Furthermore, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited revealed that, as part of their product life cycle assessment process, they had identified models that were borderline in meeting energy efficiency criteria. In response, they initiated corrective measures, discontinuing the production of the Window RAC RAW511HEDO from April 2021 and the Fixed Speed Split RAC RSNG318HEDO from May 2022, as reported by BEE.
The Consumer Affairs Department is taking additional steps by reaching out to the Energy Ministry and the Electronics Equipment Association to inform them about the non-compliance issue.
Zee Business was the first to raise concerns regarding customer rights and issues following the BEE advertisement. As part of their response, BEE directed Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited to recall the product from its distribution network nationwide. The directive included identifying customers, retrieving the air conditioners, and providing compensation. BEE’s investigation extends beyond this particular company, encompassing various home appliance manufacturers.
Given the sweltering weather conditions, BEE has heightened its scrutiny of the quality and star ratings of air conditioners. The organization is taking a firm stance against companies marketing home appliances with incorrect star ratings. In addition to Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited, BEE is subjecting products from other companies to quality assessments through random sampling in its laboratories.
These actions underscore BEE’s commitment to ensuring that consumers receive energy-efficient products that align with the stated star ratings, ultimately contributing to sustainability and consumer satisfaction in the home appliance market.
