The labelling of energy efficient refrigerators is just one example of a series of standards to be adopted in Saint Lucia in 2016.

According to Tzamarllah Haynes, Head of Standards at the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards (SLBS), this is as a result of a new proposal for a series of energy efficiency labelling standards.

"We have already adopted a series of standards related to lamps, LEDs, CFLs, air and conditioning units, so refrigerators follow suit. We will provide requirements and recommendations for all energy efficiency labels that are to be used on refrigerator appliances in Saint Lucia.”

Haynes said the initiative serves to encourage persons to make use of more energy efficient appliances, and is the SLBS's own contribution in reducing the island's carbon footprint.

"Currently we are proposing the standards for voluntary adoption but the intent is that it becomes mandatory and the method of policing will be to ensure that refrigerator appliances coming into the island have these labels on them; and where they do not have these labels we are very happy to inform that we have a lab right here at the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards where we can establish what the energy efficiency rate of the appliance would be and we can fix the label to the product."

The adoption of the new standard is currently at comment stage.

Interested parties are invited to comment on the new draft standard via the SLBS web portal, www.slbs.org.lc or for more information contact their offices at 758.453.0049.

The deadline for comment is Jan. 18, 2016.