Audit of Certificated Businesses
Businesses that hold a Full Company Certificate may be subject to an annual risk-based desk-top and/or an on-site audit. The purpose of the risk-based audit system is to ensure accuracy of information provided by the named responsible person of the business who holds a Stationary Equipment Qualification Company Certificate (Full).
Desk-top Audit:
Refcom will:
- Request information to verify that there are qualified refrigerant engineers employed in sufficient numbers to cover the expected volume of activities referred to in Article 2.2 of Commission Regulation 303/2008 – i.e. installation, maintenance or servicing of SRAC or heat pump equipment
- Check the validity of those qualifications with the relevant awarding body
- Request information to verify that the necessary tools and procedures are available to qualified employee(s) engaged in activities for which a Full Company Certificate is issued
On-site risk-based or complaint triggered audit:
Refcom will:
- Obtain evidence to confirm accuracy of information requested by the desk-top audit
Results of the 2011 audit regime:
| Business Size |
Register representation sample. |
Immediate pass/
pass with observations. |
Pass after closing out minor non-conformances. |
Pass after closing out major non-conformances. |
| Micro |
44% |
50% |
20% |
30% |
| Small |
44% |
60% |
25% |
15% |
| Medium |
10% |
100% |
|
|
| Large |
2% |
100% |
|
|
Commentary on 2011 audit findings:
The audit results found on the F Gas Certification mandatory scheme were indicative of the usual pattern of problems found when businesses are audited when joining Refcom Elite voluntary scheme. The audit sample comprised of a selection of businesses in proportion to the composition of certificated businesses on the F Gas Certification register.
- In general, the vast majority of the SRAC sector is comprised of approx 85 – 90% of both sole traders (micro) and small businesses (2 – 9) in approximately equal measure and the usual trend of using sub-contractors within this sector was clearly identified for businesses of this size during this audit program
- The number of minor and major non-conformances increases when the size of the businesses being audited decreases. Businesses, who initially failed their audit with major
non-conformances, were eventually passed following discussions with ourselves and
the receipt of supporting documentation.
- The importance of having effective processes and procedures in place, equipping the in-scope engineers with the proper specialist tools and equipment and the recording and maintaining accurate refrigerant handling records is fundamental to the SRAC industry at large ensuring that the F-Gas regulation's key aim i.e. containment of emissions is met.