All electrical and electronic appliances will, from next year, 2021 have the ratings on their labels recategorised from one-star to seven-star to indicate their standard of efficiency.
Currently, some appliances on the Ghanaian market, especially refrigerators and air-conditioners, have their ratings recategorised from one-star to five-star, representing that they are the most efficient.
The reason behind the move has become necessary to adapt with global standards on appliance use, as well as reduce the level of importation of low-efficient products onto the Ghanaian market.
This was made known by the Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the Energy Commission, Mr Kofi A. Ayarko at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Accra.
What is the star-rating for?
The star-rating system depicts the energy use efficiency of an electrical appliance. And with this, the higher the number of stars, the more efficient the appliance.
Reason for revision
In explaining further, Mr Ayarko said due to changes in climate trends and standards, many countries had revised their appliance schedules and ranges, hence the need for Ghana to do same in order not to become a hub for sub-standardized products.
“Technology is fast advancing and obsolete products are moving around the globe to find dumping grounds. We, therefore, need to insulate Ghana from becoming a dumpsite for global inefficient products,” he noted.
He continued to say that the moment only air conditioners, refrigerators and lamps were star-rated, the commission was working to ensure that all appliances used in homes and offices would come with ratings, hence the revision of the Appliance Standards and Labelling Regulations, which is before Parliament and would hopefully be passed before the end of the year.
He said in all 17 products would be affected by the new categorisation, adding that:
“However, five of them, namely, air conditioners (ACs), fans (including ceiling, standing, wall and tabletop fans), public lighting, household and commercial refrigerating appliances and television sets, would be processed, beginning next year, with the others following in phases.”
Appliance Standards Regulations
In 2005, Ghana introduced the Appliance Standards and Labelling Regulations which mandated importers and dealers in electrical appliances to sell only products that met energy efficiency requirements.
Stakeholders’ consultation
The three-day stakeholders’ consultation workshop brought together importers and dealers in electrical appliances for awareness creation regarding the introduction of the new regulations.
The workshop also had the objective of educating the dealers on product importation, testing and display for sale on the market.
An advantage for consumers
The Inspector of Energy Efficiency at the Energy Commission, Mr Hubert Nsoh Zan, said the new regulations would give more power to consumers, as the labels would come with quick response (QR) codes, enabling users scan to assess the kind of product they buy.
