HONG KONG, Aug. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- The need for manufacturers of consumer products and related parts and accessories to go "green" is becoming increasingly urgent, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) said here Wednesday.

    According to the council, the warning is further underlined by the announcement that two new European Union (EU) directives will be introduced soon: one on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) which takes effect on Aug. 13, 2005, and the other, called Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), which will go into operation on July 1, 2006.

    HKTDC said that the new green rules and the like affect exportsnot only to the EU but to the United States, Japan and even the Chinese mainland as well.

    A study conducted by the council found that "green consumerism"in overseas markets was growing rapidly, and it stressed the need for Hong Kong manufacturers to go green to stay in business.

    The TDC research looked at ways in which Hong Kong manufacturers could capitalize on the increasing demand for green products.

    Apart from minimizing or doing away with hazardous materials altogether, manufacturers can strengthen their competitiveness by improving their products' energy efficiency, particularly in the case of electrical products, the council said. Enditem