Dec 15, 2025

Every HVACR market has its own rules and regulations around minimum performance requirements and environmental standards that must meet before a product can be sold. So how do manufacturers and distributors navigate these different requirements? How do they break through the EU’s single-market barriers or secure the approvals needed to enter regions like the Middle East?

We spoke to Aydin Calik, Auditor and Client Manager at Eurovent Certification, about how Turkish manufacturers are utilising product certification as a passport to export when accessing markets worldwide.

Q: Aydin, before we begin, can you tell us a little about your background?

AC: I’m a mechanical engineer with a background in HVACR, bringing more than 16 years of experience in the field. My professional focus has been primarily on sales, business development, and providing technical consultations. I moved into my current role at Eurovent Certification just over a year ago, having spent nearly ten years previously at Mitsubishi Electric Turkey A. Ş. While I’m based in Istanbul, a lot of my time is spent auditing production sites throughout Turkey and beyond as part of the certification and surveillance process. As a client manager I liaise with ventilation manufacturers who are participating in our programmes.

Q: How does product certification allow access to and competitiveness within the EU market?

AC: Although Turkey is not an EU member, our manufacturers must still comply with EU Ecodesign and energy-labelling regulations to sell HVACR products into the Single Market. Certifications such as Eurovent Certified Performance provide independently verified, compliant technical data, trusted by EU buyers. Certification enables distributors, consultants, and specifiers to have confidence that Turkish products meet EU performance and efficiency requirements. This reduces market-entry barriers and positions Turkish products as reliable alternatives to EU-based brands.

Q: How does certification increase credibility in international tenders?

AC: Eurovent Certified Performance is widely recognised in public procurement processes and large-scale HVAC projects, including in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and the whole of Europe. Certification signals credibility, not only in the EU but also in other international markets where European Standards are respected. Additionally, Turkish manufacturers use certification to demonstrate transparency, traceability, and compliance - key criteria in tender evaluations. Certified data helps consultants and engineers compare units on a like-for-like basis, making Turkish products more competitive internationally.

Q: How does certification differentiate Turkish products in global export markets?

AC: Outside the EU, Eurovent Certification acts as a trusted label that reassures buyers who may not be familiar with Turkish brands. It helps manufacturers stand out from unverified competitors by proving proven performance data. This gives Turkish exporters an advantage in markets that value quality but may lack strong local certification frameworks.

Q: How does the new Desert Certification support Turkish products in Gulf regions?

AC: Not only is Eurovent Certification accredited by SASO (Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation) as a certification body, but it has recently launched its Desert Certification option, which tests selected products at T3 conditions and higher. Air Conditioners, VRF units, Chillers, Rooftop units and IT Cooling units can now be certified for desert conditions.

The idea is to complement the data tested at existing Standards and provide additional assurance where summer peaks reach 45-50°C. Designed specifically for Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the Desert Certification option tests products at T1 (35 °C), T3 (46 °C), and operability at 52 °C, with even harsher conditions for Kuwait. It also introduces the Desert Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (DSEER), a metric that reflects real-world, part-load conditions, providing more accurate data for specifiers, developers, and end users. Desert certification helps Turkish manufacturers prove performance, earn trust and gain a competitive edge in one of the world’s most extreme climates.

Q: How does certification build customer trust and reduce perceived risk?

AC: For importers, distributors, and engineers, verified data reduces the risk of underperforming systems, energy waste, or design issues. Eurovent’s random sampling, laboratory testing, factory audits, data analysis and surveillance programme signal that a Turkish manufacturer offers consistent quality, not just high performance on selected models. This strengthens long-term relationships with European and global partners.

Q: How does product certification strengthen brand reputation and product development?

AC: As an auditor, I see first-hand how certification helps Turkish companies improve design accuracy, quality control, and R&D processes. Because Eurovent Certification requires all certified models to remain compliant, manufacturers maintain tighter engineering standards. They can also benchmark their performance against competitors globally, helping to drive innovation. Turkish HVACR manufacturers use product certification as a strategic tool to strengthen their market position with credibility and produce cutting edge technology that goes beyond national borders.

Thanks Aydin.

The bottom line - Eurovent Certification is a powerful export enabler for Turkish HVAC&R manufacturers, supporting EU compliance, global competitiveness, and customer trust across multiple international markets.

View our certification programmes now