Eurovent Middle East, the regional industry association of HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) manufacturers, has announced the launch of a Desert Certification programme, the first high-ambient temperature testing scheme of its kind in the Middle East.
The certification, overseen by Eurovent Certita Certification (ECC), covers air conditioners, variable refrigerant flow systems (VRF), chillers, rooftops, and IT cooling units, thus addressing the critical role of cooling in the region, where HVACR systems account for up to 80% of building energy use.
According to a research by leading firm MarkNtel Advisors, the HVACR sector in the Gulf region is poised for solid growth over the next few years with its market set to hit AED32.8 billion ($9 billion) by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 4.67% over the next five years,
This growth is fuelled by large-scale housing developments to major government investments in tourism, and increasing demand from the commercial, oil and gas and transport sectors, further cementing HVACR systems as a cornerstone of regional infrastructure development, it stated.
"In the Gulf region, HVAC systems face extremely high ambient temperatures, yet most equipment is still certified using European or American standards that don’t reflect regional conditions. The result? Certified performances that fail to represent real-world operation. That’s why we created the Desert Certification, a third-party, performance-based scheme tailored specifically to the harsh climate of the GCC," noted Ali Nour Eddine, the International Director at Eurovent Certita Certification.
Eurovent Certita Certification is a globally recognised, independent certification body for the HVACR sector. Its mission is to build trust by verifying product performance through impartial testing, factory audits, and ongoing surveillance.
The Eurovent Certified Performance mark already dominates in Europe with more than 75% market penetration and has steadily grown in the Middle East. Products tested under this new scheme will carry a dedicated Eurovent Certified Performance mark in red, highlighting that they are “certified to high ambient temperatures”.
With rapid infrastructure development driving demand across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the introduction of the Desert Certification marks a milestone for the industry and the region at large.
Markus Lattner, Managing Director, Eurovent Middle East, said: "We firmly believe that energy efficiency is a matter of national security, and as a regional chapter of the Eurovent Association, we are committed to supporting the local industry and broader national sustainability goals."
"Certified equipment ultimately consumes less energy, reduces emissions, and contributes directly to a project’s green objectives. This scheme provides engineers, specifiers, architects, and consultants with a reliable foundation of proven performance values at high ambient conditions while offering a distinct competitive edge for manufacturers and brands," he stated.
As part of the programme, ECC will collaborate with six accredited laboratories across Europe and the UAE to ensure consistent testing, faster turnaround times, and local support for GCC manufacturers.
Working closely with regional governments, ECC also aims to secure official recognition of Desert Certification, enabling manufacturers to avoid multiple overlapping certifications while benefitting from a single, unified scheme, said Eurovent Middle East in its statement.
Such recognition will strengthen local credibility, enhance international visibility, and showcase true product performance in the region’s real operating environment, it added.-TradeArabia News Service