How old is your refrigerator?

Hello! Here and there，let's look everywhere!

The Two Sessions of China is to discuss national affairs. However, due to the wide range of topics, the two sessions will also see many detailed issues related to people's livelihoods.

For instance, Wang Wentao, Minister of the Ministry of Commerce of China, stated at the two sessions that each year there are approximately 270 million household electrical appliances in China exceeding safe service life on average. The “overdue” appliances may cause safety hazards such as short circuits and fires, and can also significantly increase energy consumption.

In addition, more than 16 million vehicles with emission standards equal to or lower than China’s National III emission standard（equivalent to Euro III standards）are currently still in use, of which more than 7 millions are over 15 years old.

Zheng Shanjie, director of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that by the end of 2023, the number of civil vehicles owned in China was 336 million, and the number of main household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines was more than 3 billion.

The reason why ministers are so concerned about these old cars and appliances is because China is promoting large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods old-for-new trade, which means there can be a trillion-scale market space for China, as Zheng said, this was "particularly positive".

Last month, the Central Financial and Economic Committee made a deployment echoing this measure. This month, the State Council passed an action plan, stating that the government will guide consumers on a voluntary basis to promote more high-quality durable goods to the residents.

As early as around 2009, specifically household appliances had been produced to meet the needs of rural areas. Meanwhile, villagers who purchased the appliances had subsidies.

In 2020, the China Household Electrical Appliances Association enacted Safe service life for household electrical appliances in which the safe service life of refrigerators and air conditioners was 10 years, and that of washing machines was 8 years. Yet, this does not mean mandatory standard for scrapping. The association explains that because “long time” is not definable, people might not have concept of "safe service life" for the appliances.

This time, Dong Mingzhu, deputy to the National People's Congress and chairman of Gree Electric Appliances, suggested at the two sessions that mandatory standards for the safe service life of the appliances should be established as soon as possible. Moreover, clearly indicated service life on the appliances should be made a requirement. In fact, she had made similar suggestions more than once.

It should be emphasized again that the replacement of old for new completely relies on consumers' willingness. Do you know how old the appliances at home are? Are you willing to trade in the old for the new this time?

中国青年报社出品

文案：张致远、傅瑞、朱澹清（实习生）

剪辑：郭扬（实习生）

视觉包装：张岩 李晗

图片来源 ：李隽辉、视觉中国等

本次播报由中国青年报“青年语料库”支持