Midea Leads Development of First National Standard for Air Conditioner Carbon Footprint

In a move signaling a significant step forward in China’s green initiatives, the nation’s first national standard for product carbon footprint in the home appliance industry, “Greenhouse Gases – Product Carbon Footprint – Quantification Method and Requirements for Room Air Conditioners” (GB/T 46027-2025), has been officially released, according to an announcement from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Standardization Administration of China (SAC).

The standard, spearheaded by Guangdong Midea Refrigeration Equipment Co., Ltd. (“Midea Air Conditioning”) in collaboration with the China Household Electric Appliance Research Institute, is poised to revolutionize how carbon emissions are tracked and managed within the sector.

Standardizing Carbon Footprint Accounting for Air Conditioners: Aiding National Carbon Label Certification

Coming on the heels of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee’s emphasis on establishing comprehensive carbon emission accounting systems and product carbon labeling, as well as the integrated management of product carbon footprints, the SAMR and other key departments have designated Foshan City, Guangdong Province, as a pilot area for air conditioner carbon footprint label certification. Room air conditioners, among 17 product types, are among the first to be trialed under this national scheme.

The implementation of product carbon footprint labeling is seen as a critical driver for achieving China’s ambitious “dual carbon” goals. A scientifically robust and universally applied standard is paramount to ensure the accuracy and comparability of disclosed data. The newly released GB/T 46027-2025 provides such a framework, explicitly defining the scope and objectives of room air conditioner carbon footprint quantification, along with detailed methodologies and reporting mandates. The standard takes into account product-specific nuances, further refining the process by addressing key aspects such as functional units, system boundaries, cut-off criteria, and data collection norms

This represents a standardized procedure for assessing the carbon impact of air conditioning units: crucial in guiding the air-conditioning industry toward carbon neutrality. This technical guidance underpins the transition from policy to practical application for product carbon label certification.

Midea: A Driving Force in Shaping the Industry’s Carbon Footprint Management System

Midea Air Conditioning has consistently championed sustainable practices throughout the product lifecycle, leveraging green technology R&D to minimize environmental impact. The company has also been actively undertaking research into product carbon footprinting and lifecycle assessments paving the way for transparent disclosure of carbon footprint information to customers

As early as 2022, Midea Air Conditioning released the industry’s first carbon footprint and carbon reduction assessment report for air conditioning products, as well as the world’s first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for air conditioners. To date, Midea Air Conditioning has obtained product carbon footprint certifications from accredited third-party organizations for over 50 models across 5 product categories.

This commitment to R&D provided a bedrock for Midea’s pivotal role in drafting the national standards. Midea has played a central part in the ongoing advancement of carbon footprint standards pertaining to air conditioners. The company has also actively been involved in developing international standards, notably the world’s first ESG international standard IWA 48:2024 “Framework for Implementing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Principles”, and the primary Product Category Rule (PCR) for EPD International’s electrical and electronic products, thereby adding “Chinese expertise” to the global standardization stage. Moving forward, Midea Air Conditioning aims to leverage the promotion of standards and the pilot national carbon labeling program as a new starting point—driving technological innovation, setting benchmarks within the sector, and ultimately enabling a wider green transformation of China’s economy and society

In tandem, Midea Air Conditioning reaffirms its commitment to Midea Group’s “Direct to User” strategy, with the intention of furnishing more trustworthy green solutions aligning with evolving consumer needs, fostering a collective movement toward a greener future.