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East African Community approves regional MEPS for ACs and refrigerators

In July 2025, harmonised regional Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling requirements for air conditioners and refrigerators were approved for implementation in the East African Community (EDC) within 6 months.

As of July 2025, the East African Community (EAC) formally approved the regionally harmonised Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling requirements for room air conditioners and residential refrigerators.

 

Once implemented, these MEPS should help achieve an estimated annual electricity saving of 3.7 TWh by 2040, avoid 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce electricity bills by approximately USD 618.9 million. 

 

Specifications for air conditioners and refrigerators covered by the MEPS in the EDC region are as follows:

  • Air conditioners: MEPS cover non-ducted single-split, self-contained air-cooled air conditioners, air-to-air reversible heat pumps, and portable air conditioners with rated cooling outputs up to 16 kW. The efficiency metrics include Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF), Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), Coefficient of Performance (COP), and Annual Performance Factor (APF). The standards promote refrigerants with a low global warming potential (GWP ≤ 750 for ductless split ACs and GWP ≤ 150 for self-contained and portable ACs) with an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero. 
  • Refrigeration appliances: MEPS cover AC-powered single-phase and three-phase vapour compression refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers with a rated volume between 10 L and 1,500 L. Refrigerant requirements include GWP ≤ 20 and ODP of zero. 

 

The standards were developed in accordance with the EAC Principles and Procedures for the Development of East African Standards, under the guidance of EASC/TC039 (Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgy), with Uganda serving as Secretariat. Initiated in November 2022, the process involved technical drafting, regional reviews, and consultations with national and regional stakeholders, culminating in formal gazetting in July 2025. 

 

The EAC Partner States are mandated to adopt the regionally harmonised standards and labels within six months. Afterwards, implementation will follow a two-phased approach:

  • Phase 1 (2025): Introduction of less ambitious requirements.  
  • Phase 2 (2027): Implementation of more stringent performance requirements. 

 

 

Source

UNEP’s United for Efficiency (U4E). July 31, 2025. https://united4efficiency.org/east-african-community-approves-regionally-harmonised-meps-for-room-air-conditioners-and-residential-refrigerators/