Conformity assessment: the future of the HVACR sector
The heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) sector is undergoing a period of profound transformation marked by regulatory changes, decarbonization, and the introduction of new refrigerants. In this context, product testing, conformity assessment, and the development of advanced testing methods have become strategic factors for manufacturers’ competitiveness and the future of the sector.
In the #ProtagonistasCaloryfrio section, dedicated to giving a voice to professionals who help interpret technical, regulatory, and market changes in the sector, Julio Conde Blanco, Business Development Engineer at CEISLAB and CEISTECH, shares a clear and practical vision of these challenges in an interview conducted during the 2025 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Fair.
The role of testing in an increasingly demanding regulatory environment
One of the central themes of the conversation is the evolution of regulations applicable to HVACR equipment and their direct impact on product development and validation. Manufacturers are facing increasingly stringent technical requirements in terms of safety, energy efficiency, and environmental performance, forcing them to adapt both designs and testing methods.
In this scenario, accredited testing laboratories play a key role in ensuring that products comply with the necessary regulatory and normative requirements.
New refrigerants and new testing challenges
The transition to refrigerants with a lower environmental impact introduces additional challenges from a technical standpoint. Operating conditions and associated risks are changing, and in many cases, traditional testing procedures are no longer sufficient.
During the interview, it becomes clear how this evolution is driving the need to develop customized testing methods capable of reproducing real operating conditions and providing reliable and representative results. Test engineering is thus establishing itself as an indispensable complement to the laboratory, especially in the R&D and advanced validation phases.
Conformity assessment as a competitive advantage
Beyond regulatory compliance, conformity assessment is a strategic tool for HVACR manufacturers. Robust testing and reliable technical reports enable them to:
- Reduce risks when bringing products to market
- Accelerate certification processes
- Improve product quality and performance
- Strengthen customer and prescriber confidence
In an increasingly competitive market, the ability to demonstrate performance through independent testing becomes a differentiating factor.
Testing laboratories and engineering: allies of HVACR manufacturers
The interview also reflects a clear trend: the role of laboratories is no longer limited to testing, but also includes providing technical support to manufacturers throughout the product life cycle. From defining requirements to final validation, including the design of specific testing facilities when standard methods are not sufficient.
In this sense, the combination of testing capabilities and applied engineering, such as that provided by CEISLAB and CEISTECH, is key to responding to the current and future challenges of the HVACR sector.
What role will laboratories and testing engineering play in the future competitiveness of manufacturers?
Find out in this video!
