On March 26, CLASP held the “Developing a Foundation for Compliance for the Standards and Labeling Program in Lao PDR” workshop in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The workshop launches CLASP’s collaboration with the Laotian government to build a compliance framework around their energy efficiency program for air conditioners (ACs).

CLASP’s Lina Kelpsaite and Amanda McCrum join important stakeholders to Lao PDR’s appliance energy efficiency efforts

The workshop was hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), and opening remarks were delivered by Deputy Director General, Dr. Seumkham Thoummavongsa of the Institute of Renewable Energy Promotion (IREP) and Mr. Anders Imboden, Acting USAID Head of Office. The over 30 participants in attendance came from government agencies – including MEM, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Science and Technology, Customs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Laos Statistics Bureau, Electricite du Laos and industry.

Deputy Director General, Dr. Seumkham Thoummavongsa of IREP-MEM

Lao PDR has made significant advances towards developing energy efficiency requirements for ACs. The Laotian government recognizes the need to begin planning and implementing a strategic framework for compliance in parallel with standards development. A compliance framework would ensure only compliant products enter the market, check the market for inefficient or non-compliant products that may have crossed borders, and facilitate the government to take action to address cases of non-compliance.

At the workshop, CLASP presented on how these efforts are critical to protecting the market and guaranteeing savings from appliance energy efficiency policies. Industry representatives expressed support for a robust compliance framework, recognizing that compliance is critical to creating a fair and level playing field.

Participants engaged in discussing compliance in Lao PDR

Moving forward, CLASP is collaborating with MEM to develop a National Policy Implementation Strategy and Compliance Action Plan for Air Conditioners. This will provide step by step guidance, as well as recommended timelines, for Lao PDR to develop mechanisms to monitor and enforce energy efficiency appliance regulations.

In 2019, CLASP is expanding our mission to support the development and strengthen compliance programs for energy efficiency policies in Southeast Asia. The workshop in Lao PDR is the first in a series of compliance-focused engagements CLASP has planned in the region this year. Our activities in Southeast Asia build on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states 2015 agreement to harmonize their minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for ACs under the ASEAN SHINE framework. By providing compliance support at the regional level, as well as at the national level, CLASP can better support ASEAN countries in creating a thriving and competitive AC market while achieving the energy savings targets of ASEAN SHINE.

CLASP’s compliance work in Lao PDR is funded by the U.S. Department of State under the Asia EDGE initiative. Learn more about CLASP’s compliance expertise.