The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) has announced that the UAE is currently developing regional regulations for air conditioning systems for energy consumption in the GCC countries.
According to a report by WAM, Abdulla Al Maeeni, ESMA director-general, said that these regulations will be in cooperation with the Gulf Standardisation Organisation (GSO), and will be inspired by its UAE counterpart in this regard, which has proved to be a success for energy conservation.
Al Maeeni said that technical studies indicate that around 70% of the total electricity consumption in the country is in the operation of air conditioning, cooling and ventilation.
These technical regulations have contributed to the protection of the consumer, the environment, the UAE market and the strengthening of the national economy through the development of the standards sector and standardisation activities, in line with the efforts to provide the highest quality products and services in the market, he added.
The decision to develop regional regulations comes at a time when the UAE system of energy conservation in the domestic and commercial air conditioners sector has achieved successes, with a savings rate of approximately 30% – in line with global trends, the report added. It became mandatory in 2013.
The energy consumption is consistent with the objectives of the National Agenda 2021, in terms of sustainable development indicators and environmental protection efforts, especially in the Sustainable Environment Index.
Al Maeeni added that ESMA has been contributing to the provision of safety and health, and environmental and consumer protection in the UAE. He explained that it achieved this by meeting the needs of strategic partners by preparing, adopting, reviewing and issuing technical standards and regulations in different sectors.
The UAE has realised the importance of the role played by standards, especially as the country has become a major global trade centre, Al Maeeni stated, and pointed out that ESMA is the sole reference authority in the country for all specifications, standards and quality.