Ecolabels for Refrigerators and Freezers in the Philippines Updated

The GIZ-managed Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change II (C4II) initiative, funded by the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV-IKI), has provided a grant agreement to the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI). The grant aims to update ecolabel criteria for refrigerators and freezers and establish a new ecolabel criterion for room air conditioners.

Activities under the grant began in the second quarter of 2024, with the formation of a technical committee. This committee includes industry experts, academics, and key regulatory agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The criteria consider product safety, energy performance, and environmental impact over the lifecycle, including packaging and refrigerant choices.

The first committee meeting was held on 02 May 2024 at the PCEPSDI Conference Room in Quezon City, followed by sessions in Subic Bay Freeport Zone on 15 May 2024 and at the DOE Energy Utilization and Management Bureau on 13 June 2024. The new ecolabel criteria for refrigerators and freezers are expected to be finalized by the third quarter of 2024.

Local companies manufacturing and importing refrigerators and freezers are encouraged to seek ecolabel certification. If their products meet the updated criteria, the C4II project will support their certification efforts.

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