Saudi authorities intend to prevent the manufacture or import of refrigerators, freezers and washing machines that violate the specifications which have recently been approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SSMQO).
The law will be effective from January 2015, and the sale of violating equipment will be prohibited in the local market from March 1, 2015.
The mechanisms of implementing the new specifications were discussed during a discussion session held at the organization’s headquarters.
Officials answered the queries of merchants, importers and manufacturers who attended the discussion.
The participants agreed with the need to apply the obligatory Saudi specification number (2664/2013), which is related to energy performance, ability and energy efficiency cards for refrigerators and freezers, and specification number (2692/2013), which is related to installing energy cards on washing machines.
The participants discussed ways to guarantee commitment to apply these two new specifications, and prevent the smuggling of violating equipment to the local market. This includes taking random samples for testing to make sure they meet the requirements of the new specifications.
After the SSMQO has approved the new specifications in cooperation with the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Customs Department will follow up on the obligatory implementation of these specifications.
Saudi Customs will prevent the import of violating equipment from Jan. 1, 2015 while the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will prevent their local manufacturing. The ministry will prevent the sale of this equipment in the local market later on, through its inspections which will be carried out on markets and warehouses starting from March 2015.
Officials stressed the importance of applying the new specifications to guarantee the efficient use of energy-saving home appliances, especially with the growing consumption of electrical energy in the buildings sector.