EME-GEN – 20003.00. Eurovent Middle East provided an overview of the ongoing regulatory developments during its Annual Meeting 2020. This summary included the latest information on the following important regulations:
- ADQCC FCU and AHU Conformity Assessment Schemes
- ESMA UAE.S 5010eurovent-market-intelligence/news/eurovent-market-intelligence/-1, UAE.S 5010-5 2019 revision with the introduction of the ISO CSPF seasonal efficiency standard
- GSO G-Mark Scope Exemptions – Oman Energy Efficiency Labelling Regulation (GSO 2530:2016)
- SASO Biodegradable Plastics Regulation – Phase 2 & 3
- Qatar Energy Efficiency Regulation (QS 2663:2019)
A number of regulatory issues were monitored, discussed and commented on and our impact on regulations is starting to grow. 2019 proved to be an industrious yet challenging year for manufacturers of HVAC equipment, with the advent of regulations from authorities such as the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA), Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation (SASO), Oman Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the GCC Standardization Organisation (GSO). Eurovent Middle East, with the support of our members, was able to influence the following regulations in 2019:
Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (AD QCC)
The EME-AIR Joint Working Group initiative between Eurovent Middle East and Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council worked on the following projects throughout 2019:
- Amendments to the Air Handling Unit (AHU) Conformity Assessment Scheme
- Drafting of the Fan Coil Units (FCUs) Conformity Assessment Scheme
Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) – UAE.S 5010:2019
Eurovent Middle East provided industry feedback and recommendations on draft regulations UAE.S 5010eurovent-market-intelligence/news/eurovent-market-intelligence/-1:2019 and UAE.S 5010-5:2019 with particular reference to VRF MEPS baseline requirements based on the ISO 16358eurovent-market-intelligence/news/eurovent-market-intelligence/-1:2013/Amd. 1:2019 standard for seasonal efficiency in hot climates.
In an effort to ensure transparency, a level playing-field and improved market intelligence, Eurovent Middle East lobbied with ESMA on numerous occasions to publish the performance data for ESMA certified products through an online database. ESMA published an “Open Data Product Search” platform in 2019, accessible using the provided link:
https://www.esma.gov.ae/en-us/Open-Data/Pages/open-data-product-search.aspx
GCC Standardization Organization (GSO)
The draft regulation for large capacity air conditioners based on SASO 2874:2016, opposed by the group due to discriminatory normative references, was still on hold at the time of publishing this paper.
Following the GSO GCTS Workshop which took place in Istanbul on 19 September 2019, the GSO, supported by TUV Rheinland (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., convenor of GSO NB LV Working Group 3, requested the support and contribution of Eurovent Middle East in providing information and images of air conditioning products to be exempted from the scope of BDeurovent-market-intelligence/news/eurovent-market-intelligence/-142004-01. Eurovent Middle East lobbied for the official exemption of ducted split air conditioners from the scope of GSO Technical Regulation BDeurovent-market-intelligence/news/eurovent-market-intelligence/-142004-01 following which the Notified Bodies made the recommendation to the GSO to exempt ducted split air conditioners from the scope of the G-Mark Regulation.
Oman Energy Efficiency Labelling Regulation – GSO 2530:2016
Eurovent Middle East, with the support of Mr Srinivasan Rangan of Rheem MEA, lobbied for the exemption of the G-Mark certification as a pre-requisite to apply for energy efficiency labels for ducted split units in the Sultanate of Oman in coordination with the GSO. The online system for applications was launched in December 2019, with manufacturers being able to successfully apply for the energy efficiency labels for ducted split air conditioners.
Qatar General Organization for Standardization (QS) – QS 2663:2019
Industry feedback and recommendations on draft regulation QS 2663:2019 – Energy Labelling and Minimum Energy Performance Requirements for Air-Conditioners was provided to the Qatar Standardization Organization (QS). Recommendations and suggestions by members of Eurovent Middle East were acknowledged by QS, and the official implementation date for the regulation will be shared with members once received from QS.
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO)
SASO Biodegradable Plastic Regulation Phase 2 – Eurovent Middle East lobbied with European Union (EU), United States and national trade bodies against the implementation of the second phase. Official notification on this development is available on the SASO website in Arabic, accessible using the provided link:
https://saso.gov.sa/ar/mediacenter/news/Pages/saso_news_1064.aspx
Other activities
The position paper on mandatory building inspections was presented to the UAE Ministry of Energy and Industry (MoEI) and was shared with a number of other government bodies and organisations. Additionally, Eurovent Middle East members approved a position paper encouraging the use of ISO CSPF as reference for the development of seasonal efficiency regulations in the region, working towards ensuring a consistent and level-plating field for stakeholders in the industry.
