Qatar Chamber reviews new draft specifications for energy performance

Qatar Chamber’s Trade and Research Committee recently held a seminar on ‘Energy Performance & Testing Requirements’ to examine the key energy performance requirements for electrical appliances.
The seminar gathered insights from the Qatari private sector regarding these requirements before their approval and implementation.
Qatar Chamber board member Abdulla bin Mohamed Abdulrahim al-Emadi, who is also vice-chairman of the committee, inaugurated the seminar while Dr Nasser bin Hamad al-Mirqab al-Hajri and Ahmed bin Abdulrahman al-Abdul Gabbar from the Qatar General Organisation for Standardisation spoke during the event in the presence of Dr Saif al-Hajari and several representatives from companies and agencies operating in the domestic electric appliances market.
The seminar covered draft energy specifications for high-capacity and small-capacity air conditioners, electrical washing machines and dryers, refrigerators and freezers, lighting products, and water heaters.
Speaking at the meeting, al-Emadi noted that the seminar aimed to educate private sector representatives about draft specifications for certain electrical appliances and their energy performance requirements, noting that it also sought to gather inputs from manufacturers and agencies operating in Qatar. He urged companies in this sector to submit their proposals within two months.
In a presentation, the Qatar General Organisation for Standardisation reviewed energy efficiency drafts for electrical household appliances, emphasising that the draft standards are preliminary and subject to adjustment.
The organisation called on manufacturers and agencies of electrical appliances in Qatar to submit their proposals and views on these drafts within two months before they are recommended to the GCC Standardisation Organisation.
During the seminar, guidelines for the application of the Gulf Technical Regulation for low-voltage electrical appliances and equipment were discussed for 13 categories of electrical appliances and equipment. This includes the QR code Gulf Conformity Tracking Symbol (GCTS). It was emphasised during the event that these measures greatly contribute to the protection and safety of consumers from non-standard electrical appliances.
The primary objective is to provide safety requirements for low voltage long-term household electrical appliances, including air fans, refrigerators, freezers, cooling and freezing devices, washing machines, centrifugal dryers, food mixers, fruit juicers, bread roasting devices, hairdryers, heaters, microwave heaters, water heaters, sockets, chargers, connectors, and adapters. The restriction of these devices will initially be applied on an optional basis for a period of six months before becoming mandatory.