MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) has reviewed a request for approval to expand the ongoing bi-national effort between Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) to include the Mexican Associación de Normalización y Certificación (ANCE) to work together on the development of HVACR industry standards. Work will commence with the harmonization of IEC 60335-2-40, Safety of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 2 – Particular requirements for Heating and Cooling Equipment. A harmonized part 2-40 standard would ultimately replace the electrical safety requirements for heat pumps, hot water heat pumps, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers presently in UL 1995/CSA236, Standard for Safety Heating and Cooling Equipment.

A significant milestone has been achieved with the harmonization of IEC 60335, Safety of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 1: general requirements between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A draft of the harmonized standard is complete and work will continue to allow this to serve as a national standard in all three countries. In the meantime work will now proceed with the harmonization effort for part two of the IEC 60335 standard.

HRAI has notified stakeholders that the industry in Canada agrees with expanding the bi-national harmonization effort of IEC 60335-2-40 to a tri-national effort that would include Mexican participation. HRAI along with the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) will encourage CSA and UL to continue this work.

For more information, contact Caroline Czajko at 800-267-2231 ext. 234 or e-mail cczajko@hrai.ca.

Publication date: 03/05/2007