Importers of electrical appliances asked to comply with the law

Accra, Dec. 29, GNA - With effect from February 28, all air conditioners and compact fluorescent lamps which do not meet the minimum specifications prescribed by law or are not properly labelled would not be allowed into the country.

A statement jointly signed by Mr A. K. Ofosu-Ahenkorah, Acting Executive Secretary, Energy Commission, and Mr Adu Darkwah, Executive Director, Ghana Standards Board, on Friday told importers that in accordance with the provisions of the law, air conditioners and compact fluorescent lamps found in the country and which did not conform to the specifications prescribed by law were liable for seizure and forfeiture. "The general public is advised not to buy air conditioners and compact fluorescent lamps which are not labelled," it said.

The Commission and Ghana Standards Board reminded importers of room air conditioners and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to comply with the prescribed standard specifications.

It said the air conditioners and lamps must also comply with the minimum performance and labelling requirements prescribed in the law. The statement said the Energy Commission and Ghana Standards Board had taken cognizance of the fact that some importers might have stocks of air conditioners and compact fluorescent lamps in their warehouses while others might have shipped consignments of the items concerned and which could be on the high seas.

"The Commission and the Board have, therefore, decided to facilitate the labelling of such items, until the 28th day of February 2007, as follows:

"Those who had such items in their warehouses should contact their suppliers/manufacturers to issue to them a laboratory test certificate from an accredited laboratory, indicating the performance and efficiency of each model of air conditioners and lamps.

"After these certificates have been obtained they are to contact the Ghana Standards Board with the certificates which will form the basis for the issue of appropriate labels.

"They will then be affixed to the items, under the supervision of the Ghana Standards Board, before they are displayed for sale." It said with immediate effect all importers should instruct their suppliers/manufacturer's to affix the prescribed labels to the appliances before shipment. 29 Dec. 06