Flammable refrigerant limits approved in recount
9th May 2019
SWITZERLAND: In a remarkable recount, the IEC has now voted to accept a new standard which will increase the flammable refrigerant charge limit in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
There has been no official confirmation as yet, but it appears that Malaysia’s “no” vote on proposals to amend the 60335-2-89 standard has been ruled out as it did not follow voting procedures.
Last month, the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) vote at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) was defeated by just one vote. The nine opposing votes from the 35 nations voting, meant that the proposal could not enacted as it exceeded the maximum limit of 25%.
It was later found that Malaysia, one of those who voted against, did not include any technical justification as required by IEC directives clause 2.7.3. When this was pointed out to the IEC, Malaysia’s vote was rejected.
The amendment to the IEC 60335-2-89 standard has been in development since 2014. The long-awaited changes, if finally ratified, will see A3 refrigerant charge sizes increase to 500g and A2L refrigerants to 1.2kg.
Related stories:
Flammable charge limit increase – when, not if – 24 APR 2019
SPAIN: Despite last week’s vote against an increase to flammable refrigerant charge sizes, the Spanish refrigeration association AEFYT believes its a case of when, not if, the standard is approved. Read more…
