Damascus, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad issued on Tuesday the Law Number 18 for 2008 on the standards of power consumption efficiency for electric equipment.

The law aims to increase power consumption efficiency for electric equipment used in domestic, commercial and service sectors by applying power consumption efficiency standards on all equipment in Syria.

The law will also contributes to meeting the demands of sustainable development within the framework of clean development, bolster the competitiveness of locally-produced and imported equipment and reduce the negative effects resulting from generating electric energy.

The law specifies the responsibilities of manufacturers, exports and distributors, in addition to infringements and their penalties. The National Center for Energy Research is responsible for applying this law.

Power consumption efficiency refers to the minimum consumption of energy that results in the highest possible performance in a device. This extends to cover electric equipment such as refrigerators, air conditioners, laundry machines, lighting, etc.

This law isn't applicable to equipment that ceased production or were placed in circulation before the law is put into effect, in addition to equipment being used by consumers.

Equipment available in the Syrian market must not exceed the amount of annual electric energy consumption that are designated according to the nature of each device and its specifications.

The full text of the law will be published in state newspapers, and will be put into effect after six months of its publication date. Standards of power consumption efficiency will also be published in state newspapers.

H. Sabbagh / Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA