The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has signed an agreement with the China Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Industry Association (CRAA), authorizing the association to serve as AHRI’s exclusive certification agent in China. In this capacity, CRAA will promote the benefits of AHRI certification and assist Chinese equipment manufacturers with the certification application process.

This agreement, signed April 10 during the China Refrigeration Expo in Shanghai, provides for CRAA training; AHRI document translation; CRAA certification program selection; and communication and promotional efforts in the U.S. and China. AHRI retains the right to all certification decisions, reveals the entity’s press release. "The confluence of skyrocketing market demand for air conditioning in China and the current emphasis of the Chinese government to reduce energy use has created an acute need for performance certification there," said AHRI President Stephen Yurek. "This agreement is indicative of the global HVACR market and the need for standard and certification program harmonization. We hope participation by Chinese manufacturers in our certification programs will be accelerated by empowering CRAA to facilitate the application process for manufacturers."

"Building AHRI's capacity to test and certify HVACR equipment and component performance outside of North America supports our objective of creating a level playing field by allowing consumers to make fair product comparisons," said Yurek. "This agreement is a significant step toward increasing global access to high quality HVACR equipment that provides indoor comfort efficiently and reliably."