By Sanaullah Ataullah
DOHA: Despite a ban on the sale of conventional air conditioners (ACs) that came into effect from July 1, some outlets are still displaying these products and offering discounts, with gift vouchers, among others, to clear old stocks.
Some new brands of star ACs are hitting the local market amid a delay by local dealers in the launch of most popular brands of green ACs.
An outlet operating in a popular shopping complex in Ain Khalid is offering discounts and gift vouchers together worth QR350 to customers on conventional window ACs and gift vouchers worth QR300 each on spilt units.
The outlet displayed only two brands of green ACs without star rating labels and certification required by General Authority for Standardisation and Specification at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment as per the new rule.
Upon enquiries, a salesman said they had received stickers of star rating from the Ministry, but failed to produce the stickers.
According to the salesman, a three-star green window AC of a popular brand was available at the outlet for QR1,529 while the same brand of the conventional one, despite the ban, was being sold at QR1,099. But the green AC was not displayed, though, according to the salesman, it was in the store.
Many famous AC brands are not available in the market. The dealers are slow in importing the green brands though the Ministry had announced its decision well in advance.
However, a trader of a famous brand of ACs argued that his products are energy efficient although they do not meet the requirements of the country.
The rules for phasing out all conventional air conditioners from the local market that do not meet Qatari standards and specifications came into force on July 1, Dr Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, Assistant Undersecretary for Laboratories and Standardization at the Ministry told this daily. The Department will be launching inspection drives to ensure compliance with the laws, Al Kuwari said.
The energy-efficient green ACs will save 20 to 40 percent of electricity and users will see a noticeable difference in the electricity bill, said Al Kuwari. This is the reason we expedited the implementation of the rule because it has economical and environmental benefits, he added.
The traders were given enough time to implement the rule and deadlines were extended a few times upon their requests. Now the law has come into force, he added.
“The committee held a meeting on July 1 with traders and importers to inform them officially about the final deadline which ended on July 1, 2016”.
The traders demanded another extension but the committee decided that a two-and-a- half year grace period was enough, he added.
The Peninsula
