SON Mulls Phasing out Non Energy-friendly Appliances

Gilbert Ekugbe

As part of efforts to combat the adverse effects of climate change and bridge energy gaps, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is considering phasing out appliances that are not compliant with global energy standards in the country.

The standards body stated that the move was coming on the heels of the present administration’s efforts to bridge energy shortages in the country, explaining that SON was willing to support initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable energy efficiency systems.

The Director General, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, at the launch of the AC Bioclimatic Testing Chamber, co-funded by the European Union (EU) and GIZ in Lagos, urged Nigerians to discourage the use of non-energy-friendly equipment to reduce the cost consumers incur in powering their appliances in the country.
The Director General who was represented by the Director, Product Certification, SON, Mr. Tersoo Orngudwem, said, “This is why we are partnering the Nigeria Energy Support Programme (NESP) to ensure that this comes to reality. We are using this opportunity to encourage Nigerians to use only energy-friendly devices in their houses.”

He added: “The Director General, SON, in a short while will be making an announcement on importation of non- energy friendly equipment in our environment.
“We will give a timeframe for phasing out of non-energy-friendly equipment. There are market forces and trends determined by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). We cannot just change a policy overnight.

“We will give a timeframe for phasing out of the equipment and it would be publicly announced so that the importers, manufacturers and consumers we know when they will start having the right thing in the market.”
The Director General said the launch represented a significant leap in the field of testing, particularly in the areas of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) specifically for the testing of Air Conditioning systems.

“It suffices for the determination and verification of compliances of Air Conditioners to the Minimum Energy Performance Standards & Labels (MEPS &L). I am particularly excited that this specialised testing facility designed for evaluating the performance, energy efficiency, and durability of air conditioning units, will provide a more concerted conformity assessment solution in this sector in Nigeria and across West Africa,” he said.
According to him, global energy challenges and the attendant environmental implications were no longer news, stating that the need to find sustainable solutions was of paramount importance.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, represented by the Director Renewable and Rural Power Access Department, Abubakar Ali-Dapshima, said the equipment commissioned was a game changer in the energy efficiency industry and remains one of the very important equipment for SON to test air conditioners in the country for maximum performance.

“If the project is fully implemented, I am assuring you that the equivalent of achievement in the power sector is eliminating the small and medium power plants by almost 200. This tells you how we are going to get efficient power supply which would be released into the system,” he said.
He noted that the cardinal objective of the equipment was to have cleaner energy and eliminate the degradation of the ozone layer by reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

The Energy Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Godfrey Ogbemudia, said the EU was working to ensure that standards are put in place to ensure that Nigeria would not be a dumping ground for substandard equipment, but ensuring that any equipment entering into the country meets the Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS).