In the budget speech for 2007, the government announced a scheme to encourage the choice in favour of energy efficiency through the payment of a rebate on the purchase price when certain domestic appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, tumble dryers, air conditioners, dishwashers) are being purchased.

The Malta Resources Authority has been charged with implementing the scheme. It said that so far, over 2,000 applications for the rebate have been received and about 80 new applications are being received daily. Thirty-two importers and 40 other retail outlets have registered their participation in the scheme, covering between them 1,282 different registered appliances.

The information on the registered dealers and appliances can be accessed on the authority’s website: www.mra.org.mt.

During the past two months, the authority said, all the available technical documentation to verify the eligibility of the registered appliances for the rebate have been vetted. Appliances that are registered for similar schemes in other EU member states have been exempted from the need to be covered by such verification.

The authority said applications for refunds were now being processed in line with criteria set in the legal advice. Valid and complete applications received by the authority up to the end of February should all be processed and settled by the end of April.

Most applicants qualify for the rebate, the authority said. However, the authority was encountering difficulties with processing some applications.

One of the most frequent shortcomings was when appliances were purchased from an importer who has not registered for the scheme or who has not submitted the technical information on the appliances listed. Registration of the retailer and sufficient information to demonstrate the eligibility of the appliance is a necessary requirement for qualifying for the rebate. Applicants not submitting the original VAT receipt was another frequent shortcoming.

The authority said these applicants and/or retailers were being contacted to provide the missing information. Only a few applications have been rejected, and this was because the appliance or application did not qualify for the scheme.

The authority said it would be informing the applicants about the status of their application. Further information, including a full list of registered importers/retailers, appliances and their eligibility status in relation to the scheme can be found on the authority’s website at www.mra.org.mt.