Botswana has enacted mandatory minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners, covering all types including window, split, and commercial units, effective from the distribution date of Thu, 25 Sep 2025
Botswana Sets Minimum Energy Standards for Air Conditioners
All air conditioners must meet new efficiency benchmarks from September 2025.
What changed
Minimum energy performance standards required for all air conditioners.
All product types covered including window, split, room, and commercial units.
Compliance with BOS SADC HT 110:2023 mandatory framework for energy efficiency.
Who it affects
Air conditioner distributors must ensure all units meet standards from distribution date.
Manufacturers must comply with BOS SADC HT 110:2023 efficiency benchmarks.
Key dates
Compliance Overview: Botswana’s Mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Air Conditioners
Botswana’s BOS SADC HT 110:2023 establishes mandatory minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for specified air conditioners, effective 25 September 20251. The regulation applies to new electrical non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps with a rated cooling output of 16 kW or below, while exempting larger systems, water-cooled units, multi-split systems, and non-electric models1.
1. Scope and Applicability
Covered Products
The standard applies to the following new air conditioners placed on the market in Botswana1:
- Non-ducted single-split air conditioners (air-cooled)
- Self-contained air conditioners
- Air-to-air reversible heat pumps
- Portable air conditioners (including single-exhaust-duct models)
Exempted Products
The following are excluded from the MEPS requirements1:
- Air conditioners with a rated cooling output exceeding 16 kW
- Water-cooled air conditioners
- Water-source heat pumps
- Multi-split air conditioners and heat pumps
- Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems
- Ducted equipment
- Air conditioners using non-electric energy sources
2. Key Requirements
Energy Performance Standards
The BOS SADC HT 110:2023 standard mandates compliance with minimum energy efficiency thresholds, tested and calculated in accordance with the following international standards1:
- ISO 16358-1:2013 (Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor, CSPF)
- ISO 16358-2:2013 (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, HSPF)
- ISO 16358-3:2013 (Annual Performance Factor, APF)
- ISO 5151:2017 (Testing and rating for non-ducted air conditioners)
- ISO 18326:2018 (Testing and rating for portable air conditioners with single exhaust ducts)
Safety and Refrigerant Standards
Products must also comply with safety and environmental requirements, including:
- IEC 60335-2-40:2018 (Safety for electrical heat pumps and air conditioners)1
- ISO 817:2014 (Refrigerant designation and safety classification)1
- ANSI/ASHRAE 15-2019 and ANSI/ASHRAE 34-2019 (Refrigeration system safety and refrigerant classification)1
- ISO 5149:2017 (Safety and environmental requirements for refrigerating systems)1
- Montreal Protocol Handbook (12th Edition) (Ozone-depleting substance restrictions)1
3. Regulatory Timeline and Enforcement
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOS SADC HT 110:2023 | Mandatory MEPS for covered air conditioners1. | 25 September 2025 | Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) |
| WTO-TBT Notification | Compliance with international testing standards (ISO/IEC)1. | Already in force | BOBS (WTO-TBT Enquiry Point) |
| Refrigerant Standards | Prohibition of ozone-depleting substances per Montreal Protocol1. | Not specified | BOBS |
- The standard was adopted immediately upon notification and is already in force1.
- No transition period is specified for existing stock; enforcement begins on the effective date (25 September 2025)1.
4. Compliance and Certification
Testing and Certification
- Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must ensure products meet the MEPS and safety standards before placement on the market1.
- Testing must be conducted in accordance with the referenced ISO/IEC standards1.
- No explicit certification body is named; however, the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) is the responsible authority for enforcement1.
Market Surveillance
- BOBS may conduct post-market surveillance to verify compliance1.
- Non-compliant products may be subject to removal from the market or other enforcement actions (penalties not specified in the sources)1.
5. Contact and Further Information
For copies of the standard or clarification, contact:
- Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS)
- Website:1(http://www.bobstandards.bw)
- Email: enquiries@bobstandards.bw
- Phone: +267 3903200 / 3645604
- Physical Address: Plot 55745, Block 8, Airport Road, Gaborone
- Postal Address: Private Bag BO48, Gaborone
Summary Answer
Botswana’s BOS SADC HT 110:2023 mandates minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for new non-ducted single-split air conditioners, heat pumps, and portable units with a rated cooling output of 16 kW or below, effective 25 September 20251. Exemptions include larger systems (>16 kW), water-cooled units, multi-split systems, and non-electric models1. Compliance requires adherence to ISO 16358, ISO 5151, IEC 60335-2-40, and refrigerant safety standards (e.g., ISO 817, ANSI/ASHRAE 15)1. The Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) enforces the regulation, with no transition period for existing stock1. For further details, stakeholders may contact BOBS directly1.
Sources
- ↩ Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade – Notification – Botswana – Air conditioners https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/TBTN25/BWA203.pdf&Open=True