The Energy Commission has begun engagement with importers of refrigerators and television sets on the new standards and labelling model.

The move will see the replacement of used refrigerators and televisions.

This is to cut down the nation's energy consumption of the appliances. The idea is also to avoid using the country as a dumping ground for non-efficient electronic products.

According to the Energy Commission, Ghana has reached a stage where it has become necessary to upscale the appliance standards and labelling programme which was introduced about 10 years ago to bring onboard improved standards.

Among the products to be affected in the first phase include air conditioners, refrigerators, public lightings, electronic fans and TV sets.

Speaking during a three days programme, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Engineer Oscar Amonoo-Neizer stressed the need for Ghana to review its prohibition law to include the new measures.

"In moving with global technological advancement, the existing standards and regulations for the ACs, refrigerators and lamps are, therefore, being replaced with new and improved ones and entirely new standards and regulations are being introduced for more appliances.

“We are, therefore, moving up from five stars being the most efficient, to seven stars”.

Director of Energy Efficiency and Climate change at the Energy Commission, Kofi Agyarko told Joy Business that barring any last-minute hitches, the new reform is expected in parliament before the end of the year.

“In addition to the five products listed, it is instructive to note that the prohibition law that bans the importation of used fridges and air conditioners has been reviewed to make it stringent.”

The new standards will also mean the current five star labels being the most efficient will be upgraded to seven stars.