By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Energy Guide Label, a seal to guide Nigerians on the amount of energy consumed by air conditioners, lamps and refrigerators, has been launched by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in collaboration with the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP).

The project is funded by the European Union and the German Government.

Speaking at the launch of the label in Lagos, Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, declared that the label will guide future manufacture and importation of lamps, refrigerators and air conditioners as well as other electrical appliances/equipment in Nigeria.

According to her, the energy guide label was designed for the Nigerian market to be attached on electrical appliances to provide information on the accurate energy consumption of a product. The event was an expose, into teaching consumers to make informed purchasing decisions on electrical products and appliances.

Represented by Mr Barnabas Jatau, a Deputy Director in the Ministry, she stated that the label would provide information on energy performance on air conditioners, refrigerators and lamps and show the conformity of the appliances to the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in Nigeria.

The label is important to help consumers purchase appliances that will reduce the amount of money spent on electrical bills, she said.

“The Nigeria energy label is a consumer guide on how to identify efficiency rating of appliances indicated by 1 star for less efficient to 5 stars for more efficient appliances.

“With this label, any air conditioner that is less than 1-star rating will no longer be allowed into the Nigerian market. The label will be attached to all appliances with approved minimum energy performance standards and label,” she said.

The Minister of State disclosed that the development of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards and launching of the label are some of the steps taken by Nigeria as one of the signatories to the climate change treaty to ensure that measures are in place to comply with policies that would reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing emission of greenhouse gasses.

Presenting a paper at the occasion, Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr Osita Aboloma noted that the current power available to Nigeria is far below what is required, stressing the need to manage available power efficiently.

Dr Justin Nickaf, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, who represented the SON helmsman disclosed that his organisation has been working with the UNDP and other members of the energy efficiency review committee, to develop the minimum energy performance standards for lamps and refrigerators, which specify maximum energy consumption of such appliances allowed in the Nigerian market.

This according to him, was followed up with series of enlightenment and sensitization campaigns to importers, marketers and consumers, alike.

Mr Aboloma stated that SON has designed a road map in conjunction with manufacturers for implementation of the MEPS and label. He stressed that enforcement of the label is scheduled to commence after 18 months of the launching.

This he said, is to allow old stocks to be exhausted while importers of completely built units are to fully comply with the standard and label, six months after the launch.

The Head, Nigeria Energy Support Program, Ina Hommers said the label would help Nigerian Consumers make informed decisions as well as Manufacturers and Importers with choice of products.

Hommers said non environment friendly refrigerants and sources of greenhouse gas will no longer be used in both air conditioners and refrigerators in Nigeria which is joining over 100 nations already implementing MEPS and the label. She posited that air conditioners and refrigerators manufactured in Nigeria will gain more market within ECOWAS as a result of the standard and label.

Among other stakeholders present at the launch were, the EU Project officer on Energy, Mr Godfrey Ogbemudia, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), represented by Mr Mba Sam Qweh and President of NACCIMA, represented by Ms Rebecca Ajibade, Director of Research, Statistics and Development.