Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 411/2

9 March 2011

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 153/2011

Argentina : Energy Efficiency Standards for Air Conditioners

The Argentine Government has issued a Resolution (No. 1542/2010) to establish mandatory energy efficiency standards for split and compact air conditioners. The Resolution (in Spanish) is available at :
http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/175000-179999/177544/norma.htm.

DETAILS

2.The Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación (IRAM) Standard 62406:2007 (the Standard) establishes the methodology for determining the class of energy efficiency for air conditioners based on an indicator which sets forth the total cooling capacity and the effective input power. The Standard classifies an air conditioner in terms of its performance in seven efficiency classes identified by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G, with Class A being the most energy efficient and Class G the least.

3.According to the Resolution, the Argentine Government required air conditioners coverd by the Argentine Disposition No. 859/2008 to comply with the minimum level of energy efficiency corresponding to Class E requirements as established by the Standard with effect from 5 January 2011; and further to Classes D and C with effect from 1 June 2011 and 1 March 2012 respectively.

4.Air conditioners coverd by the Argentine Disposition No. 859/2008 are required to be (i) certified, based on the testing results, for the compliance with the Standard by a recognised certification body; and (ii) bear a label in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Standard to provide information on performance or energy efficiency, noise emissions and other related characteristics. Details of the certification and labelling requirements are set out in the Argentine Resolution No. 319/1999 and Disposition No. 859/2008 (in Spanish) which are available at:

Resolution No. 319/1999: http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/55000-59999/57667/texact.htm
Disposition No. 859/2008: http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/145000-149999/147008/norma.htm

5.For details, traders are advised to consult their importers in Argentina and/or the above Argentine Resolutions/Disposition.

ENQUIRIES

6.For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact Miss S Y TANG at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Bonny CHAO)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry