ARI, Mexico Sign Agreement for Standards
The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during a ceremony held in Mexico City, Oct. 9. The MOU recognizes their shared interests in advancing the harmonization of ARI and Mexican HVACR standards and international and regional standards in general. As part of its global trade efforts, ARI has signed similar agreements with China and Korea.
According to ARI sources, the air conditioning and refrigeration industry is expected to grow to a $51 billion global business by the end of 2006.
Deborah Hawkins, president of Superior Coil, Fort Worth, Texas, and current chair of ARI, opened the meeting. "Ultimately, more harmonized standards will improve the efficiency of HVACR equipment and will facilitate the free flow of international trade," said Hawkins.
"With this document as the basis, our two organizations can work to promote communication and increase information exchange. We can avoid duplication of effort and thus save money, increase efficiency, and enhance productivity."
Plan objectives include:
Opening comments followed from the ANCE president, Gerardo de la Torre.
"Cooperation is without a doubt the key word that will help our two organizations to fulfill not only common and particular objectives, but also it will benefit the market based on technical regulations. The result will be the proliferation of more efficient electrical product in the areas of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration," said Torre.
After the signing, Hawkins used the opportunity to recognize the evolving relationship between ARI and ANCE, and to discuss another challenge for the industry. "That challenge, which this MOU will help us address, is our continued ability to use HFC-based refrigerants in our products. Widespread concerns about global warming have imperiled the continued use of these vital refrigerants. While ARI does not endorse one refrigerant over another in the marketplace, we are nonetheless mindful that HFC-based refrigerants are the most economical and energy-efficient refrigerants available for use in the widest of applications," said Hawkins.
Hawkins announced that ARI would soon make available in Spanish a guide to be used in the education process of using fluorocarbons most efficiently in manufacturing facilities.
"There is an important market for other types of refrigerants - let me be clear about that. But the continued use of HFCs requires that we use these refrigerants responsibly - and, to make sure that contractors have the knowledge and the tools to do so as well," said Hawkins.
The full agreement signed in Mexico City can be viewed online at www.ari.org.
Publication date: 10/30/2006
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