Panama Extends Compliance Deadlines for Certain Household Equipment
The Panamanian Ministry of Commerce and Industry approved two Resolutions № 46 and 47. The documents are aimed at extending the compliance deadlines set out by Resolutions on Technical Regulations on Energy Efficiency and Labeling of Refrigerators, Freezers and Three-phase Squirrel-cage Induction Motors.
It should be considered that the above-mentioned requirements for the minimum energy efficiency levels and labeling as well as restrictions for selling the non-compliant products in Panama will come into force from August 28, 2019.
According to Technical Regulations the importers, manufacturers or sellers must comply with three aspects:
1. The Technical Regulations require compliance with the minimum Energy Efficiency Indexes contained in the Technical Standards. They must also have a certificate of conformity, which can be issued by the General Directorate of Standards and Industrial Technology (DGNTI) or any certification bodies accredited with the National Accreditation Council (CNA).
2. The Technical Regulations establish the minimum energy efficiency levels together with the labeling requirements that the products must meet to be manufactured, imported, distributed, and marketed within the national territory.
3. The energy efficiency label must be affixed to the main body of the product and must be visible to the consumer and contains the required information.
Moreover, the Panamanian Ministry of Commerce and industry also approved Resolution № 37 in order to extend the compliance deadlines set out by Technical Regulations on energy efficiency and labeling of air conditioners of the following types: inverter, split, window, and central.
Requirements for the minimum energy efficiency levels that these products must meet to be imported in Panama will come into force from December 31, 2019. The labeling requirements will become applicable from June 30, 2020.
Links to the official documents:
Resolution № 46
Resolution № 47
Resolution № 37
