DOHA: The Ministry of Environment is finalising preparations to impose a proposed ban on conventional air conditioners and replace them with power saving ones.
Authorities are holding meetings with importers and traders to discuss prices and import of environment-friendly A/Cs, said Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, Assistant Undersecretary for Laboratory and Standards at the ministry.
Two months after the meetings with suppliers, an official announcement for mandatory implementation of these specifications will be made. A six-month grace will be given before the final decision banning import of conventional A/Cs is announced, he added.
Meanwhile, an updated version of Qatar Construction Specification Code 2014 will be launched next month in collaboration with ASTM International, a global standards development organization.
The new version will include standards and specifications indicated in Qatar Code 2014 and American Construction Code. Al Kuwari said by 2018, specifications will become international with the issuance of Qatar Construction International Specification 2018 for hot areas. “We are preparing to review Qatar code to develop Qatari specifications to international specifications.”
The Peninsula
