Certification schemes for Air Conditioning

[Argus]

Are there any US members who can help me with some answers about the ARI Certification scheme as it relates to split and packaged Air Conditioners to about 50 kW?

1. Is it Mandatory or does it rely on market forces for its market penetration?
   
2. If a product is tested independently under the programme, what are the tolerances allowed for capacity and EER / CoP against the published data?

Carrying on to the rest of the world, and apart from the Eurovent Certification scheme in Europe that I already know about, what similar certification schemes are available in other countries in the world for a/c products?

1. What are they called / what country?
2. Are they mandatory?
3. What Standards do they use?
4. What are the tolerances against published data?

I hope that this can raise a response, and thanks to any who can help.

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XRV750