UPDATES TO DECLARATION FORMS FOR REGISTRATION & SUBMISSION UNDER CARBON PRICING ACT (“CPA”) FROM 1 JAN 2024 se
1 To ensure that companies perform a complete and accurate assessment, NEA has updated the following declaration forms to require the endorsement of the Chief Executive and GHG Manager(s):
Registration: Statement of accuracy and completeness to be signed by Chief Executive
Submission: Endorsement form for Monitoring Plan (MP) and Emissions Report (ER) submission to be signed by GHG Manager(s) and Chief Executive
2 The updates will take effect from 1 Jan 2024. Please refer to updated declaration forms in the EDMA system.
3 Companies from the regulated sectors CPA regulates industrial facilities in any of the following sectors: -
Manufacturing and manufacturing-related services;
Supply of electricity, gas, steam, compressed air and chilled water for air-conditioning;
Water supply, and sewage and waste management
are also reminded of the following:
Register all their business facilities/sites under their operational control A company has operational control over a business facility if the company has the authority to introduce or implement one or more of the following for the business facility: -
Operating policies;
Health and safety policies;
Environmental policies
with NEA by 30 June of year immediately following the year that the facilities/sites have attained the prescribed emissions threshold(s) The prescribed emission thresholds are as follows: -
=2,000 tCO2e per calendar year. Any facility that attains this emissions threshold is required to be registered as a reportable facility under the CPA and submit an emissions report annually.
= 25,000 tCO2e per calendar year. Any facility that attains this emissions threshold is required to be registered as a taxable facility under the CPA and submit a Monitoring Plan, a verified emissions report annually and pay carbon tax for the verified emissions..
Each facility/site covers business activities carried out at i) one parcel of land or ii) more than one parcel of lands if the parcels of lands are in proximity The parcels of land are contiguous, adjacent or adjoining, or separated only by any road or pathway (whether or not providing access to the business facility) or drain or waterway., or the business activities have dependency.
Include all direct emissions from fuel combustion and industrial processes and product use (IPPU) within their facility/site when assessing their greenhouse (GHG) emissions.
4 Should you require further clarifications, please contact your account officers in NEA or the following officers. Thank you.
SINGAPORE- To curb the misuse of PMAs by able-bodied users, it is recommended by the advisory panel for active mobility that the use of Personal Mobility Aid (PMAs), which include mobility scooters, be restricted to individuals with certified walking disabilities if the set of recommendations is accepted by the Government.
Other recommendations include reducing the speed limit and restricting the size of such devices
The recommendations have been submitted to the Government for its consideration and possible implementation in the future
In a report published on Thursday (Dec 14), the Active Mobility Advisory Panel, that oversees the safe use of active mobility devices, set out five key recommendations to ensure the safe and responsible use of PMAs
PMAs refer to manual wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, designed and intended to carry an individual with difficulty in walking.
The recommendations were submitted by the panel to the government on Thursday following a series of focused-group discussions with various stakeholders in June and July.
The stakeholders consulted include PMA users, caregivers, representatives from a disability-focused organisation and the National Delivery Champions Association, among others.
The Government will review the recommendations and consider implementation at a later date.
WHY IT MATTERS
The use of PMAs is currently subjected to relatively laxed regulation. Users are not allowed to go on the roads and are subject to a maximum speed limit of 10km/h.
Unlike personal mobility devices like electric scooters, PMAs are allowed on footpaths and at void decks.
The panel said it decided to review on such devices as there have been increasing concerns about the misuse of PMAs, especially mobility scooters, by able-bodied persons.
These include the use of overly large devices and using them in an unsafe manner such as by speeding, said the panel.
“AMAP (Active Mobility Advisory Panel) decided to review the current guidelines in order to preempt a situation where there are a lot of disamenities or accidents happening and that would affect genuine users from continuing the use of PMAs,”
Persons with genuine need for such mobility aid have also found that these issues have “tarnished the reputation of PMA users”, said the panel, which comprises 16 members representatives from LTA, National Parks Board, the Traffic Police and a non-profit organisation focused on people with disabilities.
The panel reviewed practices done in other jurisdictions like in the United Kingdom, Spain and Australia before coming up with the recommendations.
Here are the panel’s five main recommendations
MEDICAL CERTIFICATION REQUIRED
The panel recommended allowing only users who are certified to have medical needs or walking difficulties to use mobility scooters
This can be in the form of a memo from a registered medical professional
However, users who already have existing certification or disability identification will not have to go for additional assessments
The recommendation only applies for mobility scooters, as the feedback of abuse among able-bodied users are typically linked to such devices only
This targeted approach aims to minimise the impact on users with genuine need who are using manual and motorised wheelchairs
The panel said that it did not recommend having a blanket allowance by age, as it may lead to a proliferation of PMA usage
LOWER SPEED LIMIT TO 6KM/H
The panel recommended lowering the maximum device speed for all motorised PMAs to 6km/h from the current 10km/h as this better reflects the intended use of PMAs, to replace walking for users with mobility challenges
Transitionary measures should be put in place to allow genuine users to use their existing PMAs but at a lowered speed
Retailers will be required to sell PMAs with a maximum speed of not more than 6km/h, with reasonable transition time given to them to make necessary changes to their business
RESTRICTIONS ON SIZE OF MOBILITY SCOOTERS
Existing dimension restrictions on PMAs for public transport should apply to devices used on public paths, said the panel
LTA currently imposes a dimension restriction of 70cm by 120 cm by 150 cm with a 300kg laden weight for PMAs on public transport
A small proportion of users who may need to use bigger PMAs for medical reasons will be exempted from this requirement
MORE AWARENESS
The panel recommended that public education efforts be ramped up on who can PMAs, along with the rules and regulations
Users should also be educated on the code of conduct for PMA and other path users
Safe usage of PMAs, fire safety tips and safe charging practices should also be taught
Enforcement should also be stepped up with appropriate penalties to deter sale of non-compliant devices, said the panel
NO LICENSING REGIME FOR PMAs FOR NOW
The active mobility panel recommends not introducing a licensing regime for users, registration of PMA devices or mandatory training at this point in time.
“While some have called for registration and licensing to increase accountability and enforcement against errant PMA users, its effectiveness must be carefully weighed, including the impact on genuine users,” said the panel.
The panel believes that the current set of recommendations will achieve a balance between inclusivity and ensuring safety for all path users, the report added.
Check out Youtube video :Personal mobility aids: 5 recommendations to limit misuse
SINGAPORE - The Building and Construction Authority said that there were 35 cases of fallen windows from buildings in the first 11 months of 2023.
It found that corroded aluminium rivets was a main cause of falling casement windows and there was a lack of safety stoppers for sliding windows.
Windows are constantly subjected to various weather elements, such as wind and rain, and may deteriorate over time due to wear and tear. Hence, it is important to check and maintain windows regularly to ensure safety. Homeowners and occupants should make window safety a priority by following these three steps: check, clean, change.
If a window falls due to lack of maintenance, owners can face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or jail term of up to one year or both.
Installation and Retrofitting of Windows
The installation or retrofitting of windows must be carried out by an approved window contractor and a trained window installer. An approved window contractor is a company or firm registered with the BCA Contractors Registry under the regulatory workhead RW01.
The installation of windows can also be carried out by a builder. A builder is a company or firm registered with the BCA Contractors Registry under the general builder workhead GB1 or GB2.
Replacement and Reinstatement of Safety Barriers Integrated with a Window
A safety barrier integrated with a window means a barrier:
that is put in place to prevent a person from falling from height where there is a vertical drop of 1,000 milimetres or more; and
that is integrated with a window
Homeowners are required to engage the services of a Professional Engineer to design and submit structural plans to BCA for the replacement and reinstatement of safety barriers integrated with a window works.
To reduce the cost and time for building owners and homeowners, BCA has developed a set of Standardised Designs that building owners or homeowners may adopt for replacement and reinstatement of safety barriers integrated with a window. The replacement and reinstatement of safety barriers integrated with a window in accordance with the Standardised Designs will be considered as ”insignificant building works” and building owners or homeowners do not need to engage a Professional Engineer to design the replacement or reinstatement works or obtain the plan approval and permit from the Commissioner of Building Control.
However, the building owners or homeowners are required to engage an approved window contractor or a builder with a trained window installer who has completed the Module on Replacement and Reinstatement of Safety Barriers Integrated with Windows, to carry out the works.
It is important to check and repair windows regularly to ensure they remain safe and secure. If a window falls due to lack of maintenance, owners can face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or jail term of up to one year or both.
Tip: Simply remember these two dates, 6 June (6/6) and 12 December (12/12) to check your windows’ conditions regularly.
Watch the video to learn three easy steps to check and ensure the safety of your windows.
Maintenance advice
For Casement windows
Using a mirror, check that fasteners are not rusty or loose. Screws and rivets are located at the top and underside of the window panel.
Clean and oil joints or moving parts.
Change all rivets from aluminium to stainless steel by engaging an approved window contractor.
Check PVC corner brackets (if used) of window frame for signs of deterioration (ie. discolouration, crack, chip off). Engage approved window contractor to replace with zinc-casted corner brackets or replace window.
For Sliding windows
Check that safety stoppers and angle strips are in their proper places.
Clean the tracks and ensure window panels can slide smoothly.
Change worn-out safety stoppers and angle strips by engaging an approved window contractor.
For Louvered windows
Check that glass panes are secure and they are not cracked or broken. Ensure that the level lock works properly.
Clean and oil joints or moving parts.
Change damaged parts or replace windows by engaging an approved window contractor.
