IIAR has expanded the number of memorandums of understanding (MOU) it has with countries, with Spain and Australia becoming the last two countries to become IIAR’s Allied Organizations. Other countries with MOUs include Columbia, Chile, China, and Costa Rica.

As part of the MOU with Spain, the Association of Cold Companies and their Technologies (AEFYT), and IIAR will be joining forces to work together to defend the use of energy-efficient, safe, and economically viable technologies; and promote the use of natural refrigerants, which have a low environmental impact.

“The impetus that ammonia and other natural refrigerants have taken within sustainable refrigeration makes the dissemination and research of these technologies necessary. The agreement with IIAR will allow the associated companies of AEFYT to participate in the development of this industry, as well as to have privileged access to the advances that are produced in this regard.”

– Roberto Solsona, president of AEFYT

“The impetus that ammonia and other natural refrigerants have taken within sustainable refrigeration makes the dissemination and research of these technologies necessary. The agreement with IIAR will allow the associated companies of AEFYT to participate in the development of this industry, as well as to have privileged access to the advances that are produced in this regard,” said Roberto Solsona, president of AEFYT.

Gary Schrift, IIAR president, said establishing synergies between AEFYT and IIAR will impact the information that companies receive to advance in the development and implementation of sustainable cold systems, which is a demand from the industry and society.

“Likewise, it will allow us to advance in research to achieve increasingly efficient refrigeration facilities,” he said.

In Australia, The Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) and IIAR signed their MOU on Oct. 14 to further a more effective and beneficial exchange of knowledge and ideas in the HVAC&R industry. As a result of this MOU, AIRAH representatives are actively participating in IIAR’s committees contributing to the committees’ work.

IIAR’s international work is also focused on expanding the influence, use, and availability of IIAR Standards. “IIAR is the standards organization for ammonia refrigeration within the United States. We are an ANSI-accredited organization and IIAR standards are recognized by several international codes and standards. This helps the industry thrive, as these standards provide recognized and accepted practices within the industry,” said Yesenia Rector, International Director for IIAR. “IIAR standards provide a ‘common language,’ so to speak, and they’re proven to work. It just makes sense to use those. Why re-invent the wheel?”

he MOU with the Bureau of Indian Standards. “It is moving along, and it is in the final stages of being signed,” Rector said, explaining that the IIAR standards will be used as a base for the development of Indian standards for ammonia refrigeration systems. “It is going to start with design, and then it will move onto installation and operation.”

IIAR staff is also assisting its colleagues in Singapore in the development of a national standard for ammonia refrigeration systems. “They are in the first stage of developing the standards,” Rector said.

Rector added that IIAR is starting to work with Argentina on its national norms. “We’re going to do a phased agreement. We just signed a confidentiality agreement with the organization in Argentina,” she said, adding that the working groups should begin working soon.

Furthermore, by working together with global partners, the natural refrigeration industry benefits from standardized educational programs and shared information. “These partners are now active in the committee work of IIAR. We are becoming a truly international organization. If our colleagues and allies across the globe get involved with our committee work, we are ultimately enriching IIAR’s material and standard’s content,” Rector said.