AHRI Update
May 9, 2024
Top Stories
Featured Session: The Role of the Media in Policymaking
There is still time to register for the 2024 AHRI Policy Symposium, to be held May 20-22 in Washington, DC, before the online registration deadline of May 15. This meeting offers attendees a chance to delve into issues of importance to our industry, with regulatory and legislative panel sessions led by dynamic speakers.
Moderated by Francis Dietz, AHRI's Vice President of Public Affairs, The Role of the Media in Policymaking will examine the important role of the media in presenting the pros and cons of policy proposals. Those in the policy debate who have longstanding, trustworthy relationships with reporters can increase the odds of persuading them to positively cover issues of importance to them and their organizations. The journalists on this panel will talk about their experiences covering Congress, the White House, and non-governmental organizations such as AHRI; the importance of relationships; and how they view their role with respect to policymaking. AHRI is excited to welcome the following panelists:
- Brian Dabbs, E&E News/POLITICO Energy Reporter
- Tim Puko, Former Washington Post and Wall Street Journal Climate and Energy Reporter
Full meeting details are available here; you might also be interested in attending one or more of the following sessions:
- Fireside Chat: The Art of Policymaking
- The Policy Process 101
- Inside Federal Agencies - The Regulatory Process from the Regulator's Perspective
- Fireside Chat: Steve Yurek, AHRI President & CEO and Jeff Marootian, DOE Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Policymaker Perspectives on Energy & Climate Policy
- Breakfast and Congressional Briefing
- AHRI-coordinated Legislative Visits on Capitol Hill
- Joint Industry Reception with HARDI and PHCC
Who Should Attend the AHRI Policy Symposium?
AHRI member company representatives, particularly those serving as senior executives, product engineers, and government relations, communications, and marketing professionals. This meeting is also the perfect opportunity to build relationships and to acquaint new and emerging leaders with critical industry issues.
Please take the time today to secure your spot at our industry's premiere advocacy event. Click here to register. Contact: Lauren Little.
AHRI/Industry News
Register Today! AHRI to Host Three-Part Webinar Series on A2L Refrigerants
AHRI is hosting a three-part webinar series on A2L refrigerants designed to assist authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and members of the fire service by providing background, context, and the current landscape of the A2L refrigerant transition. Building on information from the first webinar, “Introduction to A2L Refrigerants,” the following sessions will discuss specific, technical aspects of A2L refrigerant use.
Part 2: Updates to Standards and Model Codes
Friday, May 31, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Register here.
Part 3: State and Local Codes & Available Resources
Wednesday, June 12, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT
Register here.
Taking place later this month, part two of the webinar series will focus on the standards and model codes that have been updated to address the use of A2L refrigerants. Tom Deary, AHRI Director of Codes, will host the conversation, joined by:
- Harshad Inamdar, Research Engineer, Advanced Research, Rheem Manufacturing Company
- Andrew Klein, Consultant, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
- Kevin Scott, Consultant, Johnson Controls
- Ron Shughart, Compliance Engineer Project Manager, Heat Transfer Products Group, Rheem Manufacturing Company
They will discuss the following standards and model code updates:
- Standards Updates
- UL 60335-2-40
- UL 60335-2-89
- ASHRAE 15
- ASHRAE 15.2
- UL 60335-2-40
- Model Code Updates
- International Mechanical Code®
- International Residential Code®
- Uniform Mechanical Code®
- International Fire Code®
- NFPA 1, The Fire Code®
- International Mechanical Code®
Legislative and Regulatory
AHRI to Host EPR Compliance Webinar with the Circular Action Alliance
Ahead of several key deadlines regarding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws across the country, AHRI is partnering with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) to discuss how to comply with this new type of packaging regulation. Register here, and plan to join AHRI and John Hite from the CAA on May 30 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT.
The webinar will cover topics including:
- The scope of EPR law
- How the HVACR and water heating industry will be impacted
- Ways to ease compliance and reporting
- Any remaining questions about how the laws will be implemented
Several states, including California, Oregon, Colorado, and Maine, have recently passed EPR laws, creating a new system of waste and recycling management by placing the costs of the programs on producers of packaging and plastics entering the states. These EPR laws require that brand holders whose packaging enters the state register with a “producer responsibility organization (PRO),” which will then charge fees to producers based on factors such as weight and recyclability of packaging.
The Circular Action Alliance, a non-profit formed by industry stakeholders and including companies like Amazon, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and PepsiCo, serves as the PRO for California, Oregon, and Colorado. To comply with EPR laws, CAA has asked producers to register with the organization by July 1, 2024, with reporting beginning by March 1, 2025 in Oregon. Contact: Chris Bresee.
Certification
AHRI Welcomes New Certification Program Participants
AHRI is pleased to welcome GD Midea Air-Conditioning Equipment Co., Ltd. to the Residential Water Heaters (RWH) - 10 CFR Part 430 Certification Program as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). 
AHRI is pleased to welcome Ningbo AUX Electric Co., Ltd. to the Unitary Heat Pump Equipment (USHP) - AHRI 210/240 Certification Program as an OEM.
AHRI is pleased to welcome Zhejiang Sinoking Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Co., Ltd. to the Forced Circulation Air-Cooling & Air-Heating Coils (ACHC) - AHRI 410 Certification Program as an OEM. Contact: Bill Tritsis.
Standards
AHRI Standards Open for Public Review and Comment
Technical Review
AHRI invites public comments on the technical content of the following draft AHRI standard. Based upon comments received, the Commercial Unitary Standards Technical Committee (STC) will decide whether to make changes. A copy of the draft and list of revisions are available at the link below.
Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 1340-202x I-P, Performance Rating of Commercial and Industrial Unitary Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Equipment
STC: Commercial Unitary
Public Review Deadline: May 12
Contact: Antonio Romeo
Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 260-202x (I-P), Sound Rating of Ducted Air Moving and Conditioning Equipment
STC: Airside
Public Review Deadline: June 16
Contact: Jerry Yeh
Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 300-202x (SI/I-P), Sound Rating and Sound Transmission Loss of Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
STC: Airside
Public Review Deadline: June 17
Contact: Jerry Yeh
Limited Review
AHRI invites public comments on a limited review of the technical content of the following draft AHRI standard. Based upon comments received, the Waterside and Refrigeration STC will decide whether to make changes. A copy of the draft and an explanation regarding the limited review is available at the link below.
Document Designation/Title: AHRI Standard 270-202x (SI/I-P), Sound Rating of Outdoor Unitary Equipment
STC: Waterside and Refrigeration
Public Review Deadline: June 16
Contact: Jerry Yeh
Please see more information regarding these documents here. Contact: Jerry Yeh
Weekly Update from ASHRAE, ANSI, and SCC
This week’s summary of standards activities at ASHRAE, ANSI, and SCC that is relevant to AHRI’s work is available here. Current and previous standards activities for ASHRAE can be found here. Current and previous standards activities for ANSI can be found here.
International
Mexico Announces Tariffs on 544 HTS Codes; AHRI Member Products Included
On April 22, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador issued a Decree (here in Spanish) that Mexico would place tariffs of 5 percent to 50 percent on 544 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes imported from countries that do not have a free trade agreement (FTA) with Mexico. The tariffs are effective from April 23, 2024 through April 23, 2026.
In total, 544 items, including steel, footwear, textiles, and clothing are included in this tariff action. AHRI staff identified the following HVACR and water heating equipment in the list of items:
- 8419.50.03 – Temperature changers or exchangers with tubular coils, except those made up of graphite tubes waterproofed with polymerized resins.
These tariffs are an expansion and extension of a prior action taken by Mexico in August 2023, which AHRI previously reported. Contact: Michael LaGiglia
AHRI LATAM, ANCE Discuss Laboratory Accreditation Process
On May 3, AHRI LATAM staff and AHRI International Director Michael LaGiglia met with ANCE to discuss the approval process for that organization to begin AHRI product performance certification testing. ANCE is a Mexican nonprofit organization that was established in 1992 to provide product certification services for consumer and commercial products. With extensive experience in testing large equipment, ANCE has expressed interest in working with AHRI since the opening of the office in Mexico City.
During the meeting, AHRI and ANCE discussed the laboratory accreditation process and the importance of continued meetings to determine the next steps. Contact: Mario Maldonado
AHRI LATAM Sponsors, Participates in Expo FrioCalor
The AHRI Latin America office was proud to co-sponsor and participate in the Expo FrioCalor, held May 7-9 in Santiago, Chile. In addition to exhibiting during the expo, AHRI LATAM Regional Director Mario Maldonado led an educational session about AHRI's certification programs and regulatory tracking resources.
The expo serves as an important opportunity for regional networking among manufacturers, business leaders, and HVACR professionals. This year’s event welcomed more than 100 exhibitors and 6,000 participants. Contact: Mario Maldonado
AHRI Attends 2024 Build4Asia Expo in Hong Kong
On May 8, Bridge Xue, AHRI Vice President of Asia Operations, attended the 2024 Build4Asia Expo in Hong Kong, where he gave a presentation titled, “AHRI and Related Standards Certification Program to Air Side Equipment.” Designed for consultants and project managers, the presentation introduced the new ratings and changes for the AHU industry.
During the event, he also met with Blanche Li, Managing Director of Ever Cool Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Co., Ltd. (TECH FREE), to discuss AHU standards and regulations in Hong Kong and areas of South Asia. Contact: Bridge Xue
AHRI to Host Industry Event in Mumbai, India
AHRI’s India office will be hosting an industry event titled, “Building a Greener Future: Accelerating Energy Efficiency & Decarbonization - Enabled by Standards & Certification,” to be held on May 17 at 6:30 p.m. ITC at Grand Central, Parel, Mumbai. It will bring together industry stakeholders such as consultants, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies to discuss the HVACR compliance and validations mechanisms that impact decarbonization and energy efficiency. The event will be followed by a networking reception and dinner Contact: Vikram Murthy.
AHRI MENA to Host Webinar on Indoor Air Quality
AHRI’s MENA office will be hosting a webinar titled, “Air Quality & Filtration Technologies for Sustainable Buildings: an HVAC Perspective,” on May 22 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. GST. It will focus on crucial factors that affect indoor air quality and how it can be improved. From understanding pollutants, to exploring solutions for healthier environments and offering new options to improve the energy efficiency of HVAC equipment, this webinar will provide important information for HVAC professionals and homeowners. Attendees will hear from two regional experts, Dr. Iyad Al-Attar, Visiting Fellow at the school of aerospace, transport, and manufacturing at Cranfield University; and Eng. Iyad Al Jurdy, Founder and Managing Director at Petrichor IAQ. Click here to register. Contact: Hassan Kal.