With a view to further expanding the project’s training impact in the Guangdong region, two-day training workshops were conducted in Zhongshan and Shunde from 7th to 10th November 2011, with the support of the South China Household Electric Appliances Research Institute. More than 350 participants attended, including representatives from the Chinese Institute of Electronics (CIE), the China National Institute of Standardization (CNIS), Renmin University and Peking University as well as managers and engineers from Homa Appliances Co., Ltd., Guangdong Galanz Group Co., Ltd. and their respective suppliers.

The agenda of the two workshops consisted of detailed presentations by project partners and experts on laws, regulations and standards affecting the electrical and electronics sector as well as targeted training on environmental strategy, product life cycle management, eco-design and energy efficiency.

After a comprehensive introduction of the project achievements and benefits entailed by participation in the capacity building and assessment programme by Mr. Igor Darbo and Mr. Bernhard Felizeter from the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce Beijing, Mr. He Chuangxin from CIE and Ms. Tian Hui from the China Household Electric Appliances Research Institute presented relevant national and international laws and standards related to home electrical appliances. Professor Jin Min from Renmin University and Professor Tong Xin from Peking University then introduced a series of ecological strategies throughout the product life cycle of household appliances to participants. In the afternoon session, Ms. Yang Dongjing from CIE shared her experience in the field of corporate responsibility through presenting governance and external communication practices. In addition, Ms. Yang demonstrated an online database for declaration of substances for compliance with EU regulations. Different standards and tools on energy efficiency for manufacturers of electrical appliances were provided by Mr. Liu Meng from project partner CNIS. During the workshops’ concluding session, a test was conducted on the training topics. After passing their tests, participants received a certificate of successful participation from the consortium. On the second day, the classroom training workshops were followed up through consultations and on-site factory visits by the project experts.

The workshops provided participants with practical tools for implementing sustainable and environmentally compliant production methods. By building up the capacity of suppliers, the training workshops successfully contributed to the improvement of environmental and safety standards along the supply chains of Homa and Galanz. Moreover, the workshops provided a useful platform for further expanding the project outreach through future capacity building and assessment activities in the Guangdong region.