Midea Receives TÜV SÜD’s First Triple Safety Certification

Milan, Italy – Recently, the flammable refrigerant multi-split air conditioning product series V9 developed by Midea Building Technologies Division (hereinafter referred to as "MBT") have successfully passed TÜV SÜD’s first triple safety certification assessment for flammable refrigerant multi-split systems. Mr. Robert Ostendorf, Global Industry Segment Leader (Consumer Products) of TÜV SÜD, XXXX of MBT, and members of both project teams have attended the certificate presentation ceremony held on-site during the 2026 Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE 2026) in Milan. This achievement demonstrates that MBT’s newly developed flammable refrigerant multi-split system meets internationally leading standards in terms of safety, laying a solid foundation for the broader application of environmentally friendly refrigerants in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry.

As the global HVAC sector accelerates its transition toward low-carbon solutions, the adoption of flammable refrigerants with low Global Warming Potential (GWP) has become an irreversible trend. However, the use of such refrigerants introduces new challenges related to product safety throughout its lifecycle. In response to this industry challenge, MBT incorporated a “Triple Safety Protection” design concept into its newly launched multi-split products and invited TÜV SÜD to conduct comprehensive and independent technical validation based on the latest international standards.

The certificates issued by TÜV SÜD encompass three technical dimensions:

• First Layer of Protection: Intrinsic Safety of the Complete System. Based on the safety standards EN 60335-1:2012/A16:2023 & EN IEC 60335-2-40:2024/A11:2024, TÜV SÜD have conducted rigorous refrigerant leakage simulations under normal and potential fault conditions. The results have confirmed that the protective design effectively controls the accumulation risk following refrigerant leakage, meeting the requirements for TÜV Mark.

• Second Layer of Protection: Explosion-Proof Performance of Critical Electrical Enclosures. For electrical control components potentially exposed to flammable refrigerants, TÜV SÜD have performed specialised explosion-proof type testing on the key electrical enclosures designed with type of protection “restricted-breathing enclosure type ‘nR’,” in accordance with ATEX directive 2014/34/EU harmonized standards EN IEC 60079-0:2018 and EN IEC 60079-15:2019. The tests have verified that the structure of key electrical enclosures effectively controls gas exchange inside and outside in potentially explosive atmospheres. The product has passed the type tests and complied with type examination requirements and issued and delivered an ATEX Type Examination Certificate.

• Third Layer of Protection: Equipment Protection Level (EPL) Compliance for Critical Components. According to the EPL requirements specified in IEC/EN 60079-14 and considering the gas group classification of the refrigerant applied, TÜV SÜD identified and validated the conformity of relevant critical components. Testing have confirmed that the potential effective ignition sources of these components are under assessed in accordance to the suitable type of protection, thus fulfilling requirements for deployment in specific gaseous environments.

In addition, to ensure long-term reliability under harsh environmental conditions, TÜV SÜD have tested the product’s key parts according to the ingress protection rating standard IEC 60529:2001 (consolidated with A1:1999)/A2:2013 including COR 1:2019. These parts have achieved IP55-rated dust-tightness and protection against water jets, as well as IP68-rated complete dust-tightness and resistance to continuous immersion, earning ingress protection certificates. These results verify the physical durability and stable operation capability of the product in real-world installation scenarios.

Together, these three certificates establish a systematic safety evaluation framework specifically tailored for flammable refrigerant multi-split systems. Their issuance not only signifies that MBT’s product series complies with the latest EU safety harmonisation standards but also provides the industry with a practical, referenceable, and implementable technical pathway for the safe application of flammable refrigerants.

The certification ceremony is awarded during MCE 2026, a premier global event serving as a technology barometer for the HVAC industry, attracting professional visitors and manufacturers from around the world. On-site at the exhibition, TÜV SÜD and MBT have jointly showcased the core technical elements of the certification, promoting the message of “Safety First in Environmentally Friendly Refrigerant Applications.” This collaboration offers authoritative, verifiable technical support for the global rollout of flammable refrigerant technologies.

About Midea Building Technologies Division

Midea Building Technologies Division focuses on building products, services and related business segments. Using iBUILDING's digital capabilities, it offers comprehensive digitisation and intelligence buildings full-stack solutions tailored to different industries and needs. These services cover everything from high-level design and construction to ongoing maintenance and system upgrades.

About TÜV SÜD

TÜV SÜD is a trusted partner of choice for safety, security and sustainability solutions. It specialises in testing, certification, auditing and advisory services. Through close to 30,000 employees across over 1,000 locations, the company adds value to customers and partners by enabling market access and managing risks. By anticipating technological developments and facilitating change, TÜV SÜD inspires trust in a physical and digital world to create a safer and more sustainable future.