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Ecuador Updates Electric Water Heaters Energy and Safety Standards

Ecuador proposes revisions to energy efficiency and electrical safety standards for domestic electric water heaters, targeting storage and instant types, with a comment period ending on September 25, 2026

ECUADOR – ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS

Ecuador Updates Electric Water Heaters Energy and Safety Standards

Importers must meet new energy efficiency and safety requirements.

25 Sep 2026 Comment period ends
250 V Maximum voltage for instant heaters

What changed

Energy efficiency standards updated for electric storage water heaters to reduce energy consumption.

Safety requirements mandated for instant water heaters operating below boiling point.

Two technical regulations revised: RTE INEN 110 (1R) for storage heaters and RTE INEN 247 (1R) for instant heaters.

Who it affects

Importers of electric water heaters must ensure products meet new efficiency and safety standards before market entry.

Manufacturers of storage water heaters must improve energy performance to comply with RTE INEN 110 (1R).

Producers of instant water heaters must meet safety and efficiency requirements under RTE INEN 247 (1R).

Key dates

25 Sep 2026 — comment period closes for both technical regulations.
Ecuador — electric water heater energy and safety standards

Compliance Analysis: Proposed Revisions to Energy Efficiency and Electrical Safety Standards for Domestic Electric Water Heaters in Ecuador

Ecuador is proposing revisions to its technical regulations governing electric water heaters, specifically targeting storage-type and instantaneous (non-storage) models for domestic use. The revisions aim to update energy efficiency and electrical safety requirements under the Reglamento Técnico Ecuatoriano (RTE INEN) framework. The public comment period for these revisions closes on September 25, 20261, 2.

1. Legal and Regulatory Framework

The proposed revisions are grounded in Ecuador’s obligations under international trade agreements and domestic quality and safety laws. Key legal instruments include:

1.1 International Commitments

  • World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement2:
    • Article 2 requires Ecuador to notify other WTO members of proposed technical regulations and adhere to principles of non-discrimination, transparency, and harmonization2.
    • Annex 3 (Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption, and Application of Standards) guides the development of technical regulations to avoid unnecessary trade barriers2.
  • Andean Community Decisions:
    • Decision 827 (2018) establishes guidelines for drafting, adopting, and applying technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures in Andean Community member states2.
    • Decision 850 (2019) creates the Andean Quality System (SAC), which seeks to eliminate unnecessary technical barriers to trade and improve product quality within the region2.

1.2 Domestic Legal Framework

  • Ley del Sistema Ecuatoriano de la Calidad (Ecuadorian Quality System Law)1, 2:
    • Article 1 establishes the law’s objectives, including:
    • Regulating conformity assessment to comply with international commitments.
    • Protecting human health, safety, and the environment.
    • Preventing deceptive practices and promoting competitiveness1.
    • Article 15(b) empowers the Servicio Ecuatoriano de Normalización (INEN) to propose technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessment procedures1, 2.
    • Article 29 mandates the adoption of technical regulations to safeguard safety, health, environmental protection, and consumer rights2.
    • Article 57 assigns vigilance and control responsibilities to the Ministerio de Producción, Comercio Exterior, Inversiones y Pesca (MPCEIP) to ensure compliance with technical regulations2.
  • Código Orgánico de la Producción, Comercio e Inversiones (COPCI)2:
    • Article 237 promotes regulatory best practices to reduce unnecessary, burdensome, or contradictory regulations2.
    • Article 238 defines regulations as mandatory measures issued by executive authorities (e.g., MPCEIP, INEN)2.
  • Decreto Ejecutivo No. 307 (2024)1:
    • Declares regulatory improvement a national policy to enhance transparency, competitiveness, and legal certainty1.

2. Proposed Revisions: Scope and Key Requirements

The revisions target two distinct product categories, each governed by a separate RTE INEN regulation:

RegulationProduct CategoryKey RequirementsApplicable StandardsConformity Assessment
RTE INEN 110 (1R) – Eficiencia energética para calentadores de agua eléctricos de acumulación de uso doméstico1Storage-type electric water heaters (domestic use)– Energy efficiency thresholds (specific values not detailed in sources; likely aligned with COPANT 1713:2014)1.
– Safety requirements (implied by reference to IEC 60379:2023 for performance measurement)1.
– Prevention of deceptive practices (e.g., accurate labeling)1.		– COPANT 1713:2014 (Eficiencia energética – Calentadores de agua eléctricos de acumulación de uso doméstico – Especificaciones y etiquetado)1.
– IEC 60379:2023 (Methods for measuring the performance of electric storage water heaters for household purposes)1.		– Certification of conformity by an accredited, designated, or recognized certification body1.
– Schemes 4 or 5 (periodic production audits + market sampling)2.
RTE INEN 247 (1R) – Seguridad eléctrica y eficiencia energética para calentadores de agua eléctricos instantáneos sin acumulación de agua2Instantaneous electric water heaters (non-storage), including electric showers and faucets (operating voltage ≤ 250V)– Energy efficiency ≥ 95%2.
– Electrical safety requirements (e.g., protection against electric shock, overheating, moisture resistance)2.
– Compliance with IEC 60335-2-35 (safety standards for household appliances)2.		– COPANT 1715:2015 (Requisitos generales y métodos de ensayo para calentadores instantáneos)2.
– IEC 60335-2-35 (Safety of household and similar electrical appliances – Part 2-35: Particular requirements for instantaneous water heaters)2.		– Certification of conformity by an accredited body2.
– Schemes 4 or 5 (production audits + market sampling)2.

2.1 Exclusions

  • RTE INEN 110 (1R) does not apply to instantaneous water heaters1.
  • RTE INEN 247 (1R) does not apply to storage-type water heaters2.

2.2 Tariff Classification

Both product categories fall under HS Code 8516.10.00.00 (Electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters)2. Verification of compliance may reference the Arancel del Ecuador, last updated in 20231.

3. Conformity Assessment Procedures

Compliance with the revised regulations requires third-party certification under one of the following schemes:

3.1 Certification Schemes

SchemeDescriptionApplicability
Type 42– Initial product testing.
– Periodic production process evaluation + market/product sampling.		Mandatory for both RTE INEN 110 (1R) and RTE INEN 247 (1R).
Type 52– Initial product testing.
– Periodic production process evaluation or quality management system audit + market/product sampling.		Alternative to Type 4 for both regulations.

3.2 Sampling and Testing Requirements

  • Sampling methods must follow:
    • The technical standard referenced in the regulation (e.g., COPANT 1713:2014, COPANT 1715:2015)1, 2; or
    • ISO 2859-1 (special inspection level S-1, normal single sampling, AQL=4%)1; or
    • Procedures established by the certification body1.
  • Testing standards include:
    • IEC 60379:2023 (storage heaters)1.
    • IEC 60335-2-35 (instantaneous heaters)2.

3.3 Certification Bodies

  • Certificates must be issued by accredited, designated, or recognized certification bodies1, 2.
  • INEN validates equivalencies for foreign certifications1.

3.4 Labeling and Documentation

  • Manufacturers/importers must maintain evidence of compliance (e.g., test reports, certificates)1.
  • Labeling requirements (e.g., energy efficiency ratings) are specified in COPANT 1713:2014 (storage) and COPANT 1715:2015 (instantaneous)1, 2.

4. Enforcement and Compliance

  • Authority: The Ministerio de Producción, Comercio Exterior, Inversiones y Pesca (MPCEIP) is responsible for vigilance and control2.
  • Scope: Applies to manufacturers, importers, and distributors of covered products2.
  • Penalties: Non-compliance may result in market withdrawal, fines, or legal action under the Ley del Sistema Ecuatoriano de la Calidad2.

5. Timeline and Next Steps

MilestoneDateActionAuthority
Public Comment PeriodEnds September 25, 2026Stakeholders submit feedback on proposed revisions.MPCEIP/INEN1, 2
FinalizationAfter September 25, 2026Incorporation of comments and official approval.MPCEIP1, 2
Entry into ForceTo be determined (typically 6–12 months post-approval)Mandatory compliance begins.MPCEIP1, 2

6. Summary Answer

Ecuador’s proposed revisions to RTE INEN 110 (1R) (storage-type water heaters) and RTE INEN 247 (1R) (instantaneous water heaters) aim to enhance energy efficiency and electrical safety for domestic electric water heaters, aligning with international trade obligations (WTO TBT Agreement, Andean Community Decisions) and domestic quality laws (Ley del Sistema Ecuatoriano de la Calidad, COPCI)1, 2. Key requirements include:

  • Energy efficiency thresholds (e.g., ≥95% for instantaneous heaters)2.
  • Electrical safety compliance with IEC 60335-2-35 (instantaneous) and IEC 60379:2023 (storage)1, 2.
  • Third-party certification under Schemes 4 or 5 (production audits + market sampling)2.
  • Labeling and documentation per COPANT 1713:2014 and COPANT 1715:20151, 2.

The Ministerio de Producción, Comercio Exterior, Inversiones y Pesca (MPCEIP) will enforce compliance, with the public comment period closing on September 25, 20261, 2. Stakeholders must ensure products meet the revised standards prior to commercialization in Ecuador.

Sources

  1. ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-03909 — Ecuador https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/ECU/26_03909_00_s.pdf
  2. ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-03905 — Ecuador https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/ECU/26_03905_00_s.pdf
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