By Mohammed Iqbal
DOHA: The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has set a new deadline of July 1 for phasing out all conventional air conditioners from the local market that do not meet Qatari standards and specifications.
Only energy-saving air conditioners (both window and split) will be allowed in the market from that date. Import and sale of all A/Cs that don’t meet Qatari and Gulf standards and specifications have been banned. The Qatar General Organization for standardisation (QS) at the ministry said that the law regulating the import of energy-saving air conditioners will be in force from July 1.
QS had set several early deadlines for the ban that were later extended. The regulation has been enforced in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Industry, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) and the Ministry of Economy and Trade.
Import of only energy-saving air conditioners will be permitted in line with the Qatar Standard QS 2663 and the Gulf Technical Regulation No (BD-142004-01), QS said yesterday, in an announcement posted on its facebook page.
The regulation is intended to protect public health, ensure safety and eliminate inferior and counterfeit products.
The energy efficiency rate must not be 1ess than 8.5 BTU/hr, according to testing condition (T3 & T1). Each manufacturer, or one the manufacturer authorises must register the A/C’s prototype using the QS-approved form and obtain a conformity certificate attesting the AC’s number of stars, at least a month before import.
Voltage and frequency of the
A/Cs must be in accordance with the Qatari regulation i.e. 240 volt (single phase) and 415 volt (three-phase), and the frequency is 50 Hz; no other variety will be accepted.
ACs must have “difficult to remove” metal or plastic energy efficiency cards/labels, approved by QS, indicating the number of stars affixed to the A/C’s front part or attached by the manufacturer.
The manufacturer must submit an original test report from an ISO 17025 certified laboratory and an approved certificate issued in accordance with the IECEE CB Scheme, or a certificate of conformity from an internationally recognised body proving that the air conditioner complies with the requirements mentioned in the Approved Qatari Standard (QS2663) and the Gulf Technical Regulation No. (BD-142004-01).
QS said it is committed to ensuring the quality of electrical products in the local market “for preservation and sustainability of energy in the country, to implement Qatar National Vision 2030 with regard to the optimum utilization of natural resources, protect the environment and ensure health and safety of the individuals and the society.”
It also seeks “to assist importers and traders and facilitate procedures to ensure the flow of goods and products in the local market without technical barriers.”
It has called upon all traders and importers to abide by the content of the announcement.
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