The Manufacturing Platform is a voluntary, pre-competitive initiative convened under the Cool Coalition and operationalised by UNEP United for Efficiency. It provides a structured framework for engagement between governments, manufacturers, buyers and implementation partners on the transition to more efficient, low- and ultra-low-GWP cooling.

Context

Cooling demand is growing rapidly, particularly in markets that often have limited influence over the products manufactured and supplied to them. At the same time, manufacturers need clearer and more coordinated signals on evolving efficiency standards, refrigerant requirements, procurement criteria and market demand.
 
The Platform responds to this coordination gap by linking government policy and demand signals with information and commitments from manufacturers.

Purpose

The Platform aims to:
 

  • support manufacturers in establishing measurable pathways for improved energy performance and refrigerant transition;

  • provide governments and market actors with clearer information on product availability, market readiness and barriers to deployment; and

  • strengthen engagement between manufacturers, governments, procurement actors and implementation partners as policies and markets evolve.

Framework for manufacturer commitments

Participating manufacturers make commitments across five areas:
 

  • product performance;

  • refrigerant transition;

  • transparency and annual reporting;

  • market readiness, servicing and lifecycle refrigerant management; and

  • engagement with procurement and demonstration opportunities.

 

Targets include a defined level of ambition and timeframe against a declared baseline covering global production. Minimum ambition requirements for efficiency and refrigerant transition are being developed with the Platform’s Technical Advisory Group.

Government and market engagement

For governments developing or strengthening minimum energy performance standards, labelling schemes, refrigerant requirements or procurement criteria, the Platform provides a mechanism to engage manufacturers on whether compliant products are available, planned, or constrained by identifiable technical or market barriers.
 
This enables policy development, procurement and market transformation efforts to be informed by clearer supply-side information.

Initial scope

The Platform initially focuses on air conditioners and reversible air-to-air heat pumps up to 70 kW, aligned with the U4E Model Regulation Guidelines. Other cooling products may be considered where appropriate scope and reporting arrangements can be established.

Participation

Manufacturers join by endorsing the Founding Commitment and subsequently submitting their portfolio, baseline and proposed targets for assessment.
 
The Platform does not regulate or certify products and does not replace national policy, conformity assessment or procurement processes. Participation does not constitute UNEP endorsement of a company or its products.