E3: Refrigerators and freezers for storing vaccines and freezing icepacks

Performance specifications and verification protocols for E03 category Refrigerators and freezers for storing vaccines and freezing icepacks were approved by the PQS Steering Group on 14 September 2007. With this approval, all E03 products that are listed in the PIS 2000 edition (and new items added to the PIS since publication of 2000 edition) are subjected to a new review based on PQS procedures as described in the Guideline for manufacturers of vaccine refrigerators, vaccine freezers and icepack freezers (WHO/PQS/E03/GUIDE.1.1) and Guideline for manufacturers of solar power systems (WHO/PQS/E03/GUIDE.2.1). Deadline for submission of prequalification dossiers for prequalification is set as 31 March 2009. If WHO does not receive a dossier for a PIS listed E03 product before this date, the item will automatically be disqualified and will no longer be recommended for purchase by UN agencies for use in immunization programmes. E03 section of the PIS will also be shut down on 31 March 2009. Effective 14 September 2007, all new applications for prequalification of refrigerators and freezers for storing vaccines and freezing icepacks must follow PQS procedures.