Ghana tightens appliance import regulations ahead of December 1 deadline
By Maame Efua Kwaduah
The Energy Commission of Ghana has announced the full enforcement of new energy efficiency and labelling regulations covering electrical appliances and renewable energy products, with strict import requirements set to take effect from December 1, 2025.
The move forms part of the Commission’s effort to regulate the appliance market, improve energy efficiency and protect consumers from high electricity bills.
The regulations originate from a series of 19 Legislative Instruments (L.I.s) passed by Parliament in 2022.
These instruments are designed to reduce electricity wastage, ensure appliances meet minimum energy performance standards and promote sustainable consumption. Following a one-year adjustment period that ended in November 2023, importers are now expected to fully comply with the updated rules.
According to a statement released by the Energy Commission on Monday, November 17, all importers of air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, microwave ovens, electric motors, solar panels and other regulated products will be required to meet the new registration, testing, and labelling standards before their goods are cleared at Ghanaian ports.
According to the Commission non-compliant products will face enforcement surcharges, mandatory re-testing, or re-exportation.
The new regulations place particular emphasis on air conditioners, which are widely used in homes and commercial spaces.
The notice added that from December, non-ducted air conditioners with cooling capacities below 4kW must meet a minimum Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio (AEER) of 3.22 for inverter models and 3.66 for fixed-speed compressors. Importers of air conditioners under the old 2005 regulations will no longer be allowed entry into the country.
“Ghana’s commitment to phasing down Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) in line with the Kigali amendment of the Montreal Protocol means that, there should be a reduction in the import of R410a, R404a etc. Iaden refrigerants of cooling appliances including refrigerators. We therefore encourage manufacturers ad importers too provide units with Global Warming Potential less than GWP700 for cooling capacity less than 16kW. Examples such as R32 and R290 Iaden refrigerators as an alternative meet this requirement. Please note that a quota system will soon be issued to manage the proses by the Environmental Protection Agency,” parts of the statement read.
The Energy Commission clarified that appliances currently on display in retail showrooms or stored in warehouses may continue to be sold. However, both old and new energy labels will operate concurrently until July 2026, when full compliance with the updated labelling system becomes mandatory.
Retailers are urged to begin stocking more energy-efficient models, including inverter air conditioners, to safeguard consumers from rising electricity costs.
The Commission’s enforcement of these rules is part of Ghana’s broader commitment to energy conservation, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable use of electricity in households and businesses across the country.
Consumers and importers have been advised to take immediate steps to align with the new regulations to avoid penalties.
