Dr Yousef Al Horr, Founding Chairman of the GORD, at the opening of Sustainability Summit yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce represented by the Consumer Protection Department is planning to set up a laboratory to test the efficiency of air-conditioners to ensure they are complying to the specifications and standards of the country.
“The Consumer Protection Department (CPD) at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) and Al Ta’adhod Trading & Contracting Group (GREE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday at the 5th edition of Sustainability Summit-2018 in this regard,” said Dr Yousef Al Horr, Founding Chairman of the GORD.
Speaking to the media person on the sidelines of the event, Al Horr said that the MoU is aimed at establishing and operating a laboratory to measure the efficiency of air-conditioners according to the highest international standards and practices.
He said that the MoU will help establish a strategic partnership to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, research and awareness to promote the sustainable building development plan through cooling and air-conditioning technologies in hot climates. “They will also share knowledge on best practices and lessons learned on sustainable utility laws and codes, and promoting initiatives to support the sustainable development goals,” Al Horr added. “The agreement also means to train specialists of CPD to carry out the tests required and approved by the Gulf organisation to measure the efficiency of air conditioning units.”
He said that CPD will work to verify the conformity of air conditioning units sold in the markets to the specifications approved and to pick random samples and examine them in their laboratories.
“The opening session of the Summit witnessed the launch of the first system in the Middle East to assess the energy and water efficiency of buildings which is based on objective performance criteria,” said Al Horr. He said the system can evaluate all types of commercial, residential, industrial, sports, health, hotel, mosques and other buildings.
