In a consultative stakeholder’s workshop new quality and safety standards for Uganda’s cooling sector were discussed. The results will help to save energy and reduce the environmental impact.
In July 2024, new quality and safety standards in the refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector for Uganda were discussed in a consultative stakeholder’s workshop. The event was organized by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Uganda National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Alliance (UNREEA), Uganda National Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (UNARA) and GIZ. The discussion focused on standards for household electrical appliances, refrigeration and heat pumps, as drafted by UNBS/TC 107 mechanical engineering and UNBS/TC 116, electrical appliances.
Energy efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In his opening remarks, Anthony Orit, GIZ Advisor on the Green Cooling Initiative Project, highlighted the critical importance of this workshop: “Given the urgent threat of global warming, the RAC sector is vital in controlling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By 2030, the RAC sector is expected to account for 13% of global GHG emissions due to increased use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and escalating energy consumption. This underscores the necessity for a swift transition to climate-friendly and energy-efficient RAC technologies, especially here in Uganda.”
Energy efficient appliances such as Propane (R290) refrigerators and split Acs, are a sustainable solution for cooling. R290 has favorable thermodynamic properties, that enable high energy efficiency, furthermore, it possesses ultra-low global warming potential and has zero impact on the ozone layer. Using natural refrigerants, therefore, is not only lowering the direct emission through less leakages, but also indirectly through a lower energy consumption during the products lifecycle. Hence, the emphasis of good quality energy efficient natural refrigerant appliances with a certain minimum energy performance can have a huge positive impact on the environment.
Safety Standards
UNBS is a statutory body under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives set up to develop, promote and manage Standards in Uganda for protection of consumers and enhancement of competitiveness of exports in regional and international markets. Cooling appliances can be found everywhere; therefore, standards are required to guide the stakeholders on safe handling of these equipment and to ensure appropriate quality.
“Refrigeration and air conditioning appliances are very important components in buildings and are widely used in hotels, hospitals, manufacturing companies, banks, and supermarkets among others. To regulate the quality of these products it is necessary to have in place very suitable Standards.”, said Mr. Andrew Othieno – Manager Standards Development at UNBS.
