The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department
of Environment have taken the decision to designate Refcom as a mandatory F gas
company certification scheme that can issue stationary equipment qualification company
certificates (full certificates) and interim certificates in GB and Northern Ireland.
What do the Regulations seek to achieve?
Fluorinated gases have a high global warming effect if released into the atmosphere.
The objective of the Regulations is to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol, so as to help combat climate change.
Why is a mandatory certification scheme required?
Commission Regulation 303/2008 of 2 April 2008 sets out the requirements for a company certification scheme for businesses working with stationary refrigeration air-conditioning and heat pump equipment containing or designed to contain fluorinated greenhouse gases (F gases) in accordance with Article 5.1 of EC Regulations 842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases
(the EC F Gas Regulation).
How will it affect my business?
All businesses carrying out installation, maintenance or servicing of stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning (SRAC) and/or heat pump equipment containing
or designed to contain F gas refrigerants, be that as an in-house function or acting as contractors on behalf of other businesses must hold a certificate.
What is meant by installation?
Commission Regulation 303/2008 defines installation as follows:
“installation” means joining two or more pieces of equipment or circuits containing or designed to contain fluorinated greenhouse gas refrigerant, with a view to assembling a system in the location where it will be operated, including the action by which refrigerant conductors of a system are joined together to complete a refrigerant circuit irrespective of the need to charge the system after assembly.
What is meant by maintenance or servicing?
Commission Regulation 303/2008 defines maintenance or servicing as follows:
"maintenance or servicing" means all activities, excluding recovery and checks for leakage, that entail breaking into the circuits containing or designed to contain fluorinated greenhouse gases, in particular supplying the system with fluorinated greenhouse gases, removing one or more pieces of circuit or equipment, re-assembling two or more pieces of circuit or equipment, as well as repairing leakages.
Who is responsible for compliance?
In Great Britain, the person having control of the equipment containing the F gas refrigerant (the “operator”), typically a company, is likely to have responsibility. Also, any business employing personnel involved in refrigerant handling must ensure that they have the appropriate qualifications.
When do I need to apply?
The timetable specified in the Commission Regulation 303/2008 is as follows:
- An interim company certificate must be held from 4 July 2009.
- A full company certificate can be applied for from 4 July 2009 but must be held by 4 July 2011.
How much will it cost?
Refcom is offering a 15% discount, on the fees below, to members holding Refcom Interim Certification who upgrade to Refcom Full Certification before 4 January 2011. To take advantage of this discount please click here to download an upgrade application form.
| Size of business
|
Interim Certification
(valid until July 2011) |
Full Certification
(valid for 3 years) |
| Micro (sole trader) |
£70.00 |
£140.00 |
| Small (2-9 engineers) |
£90.00 |
£180.00 |
| Medium (10-49 engineers) |
£150.00 |
£365.00 |
| Large (50+ engineers) |
£350.00 |
£800.00 |
All fees are subject to VAT at current rate.
What happens to the money?
Refcom Certification Ltd will not make a profit. Any surplus arising will be used to reduce fees in later years to further support the scheme.
How do I make an application?
You can apply in the following ways:
- Online application (including payment) on the Refcom website
- Postal application
What do I get when I join?
Businesses will be issued with either an interim or full certificate. Interim certificates will be valid until July 2011 and full certificates will be valid for 3 years.
Who will enforce these regulations?
Local Authorities will act as enforcing bodies.
What happens if I apply after the deadline date?
Details of any businesses applying after July 2009 will be passed to Defra and Local Authorities. It is likely that no action will be taken against business that apply within a reasonable period.
What are the scheme requirements?
Interim Certification
By 4 July 2009 businesses must hold at least an interim company certificate which will be valid until July 2011 and is non-renewable.
To apply for interim certification businesses will need to provide:
- information about the business
- a list of employed engineers holding an appropriate qualification (at least City and Guilds 2078 or ConstructionSkills (formerly CITB) J01 or evidence of an in-house qualification) issued prior to 9 March 2009, in a sufficient number to cover the expected volume of activities.
Full Certification
By 4 July 2011 businesses must hold a stationary equipment qualification company certificate which will be valid for three years.
To apply for full certification businesses will need to provide:
- information about the business
- a list of employed engineers holding an appropriate stationary equipment qualification (City and Guilds 2079 categories I-IV or ConstructionSkills (formerly CITB) J11-J14) in handling F-gases in sufficient number to cover the expected volume of activities
- proof that appropriate recovery systems and refrigerant handling procedures are in place and in use
What is an in-house qualification?
In-house qualification is defined in national regulations and means a qualification verified by a certificate of competence or other written confirmation issued by an employer to such of its employees who have successfully completed a course of training provided by that employer relating to the work in question.
A course of training provided by an employer must enable an employee who has been trained to carry out relevant work satisfactorily. An employer must keep a record of training, must provide a copy to an employee which shows the name of employee trained, course provided, dates provided and date of completion or other confirmation that course was completed.
What are the new categories of training in the F gas regulations?
For RAC personnel, the European Commission Regulation 303/2008 refers to four different levels of certification, which allow personnel to carry out different activities. These are now described. Note that Category I covers all activities whereas the other 3 categories are more restrictive:
Category I certificate holders may carry out all refrigerant handling activities for any size of RAC systems containing HFC refrigerants. This includes leakage checking, refrigerant recovery, installation, maintenance and servicing.
Category II certificate holders may carry out refrigerant recovery, installation, maintenance and servicing, in relation to RAC systems containing less than 3 kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases (or less than 6 kg for systems that are hermetically sealed). Category II certificate holders may also carry out leak checks on any plant provided that it does not entail breaking into the refrigeration circuit containing fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Category III certificate holders may carry out refrigerant recovery in relation to RAC systems containing less than 3 kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases (or less than 6 kg for systems that are hermetically sealed).
Category IV certificate holders may carry out leak checks on any plant provided that it does not entail breaking into the refrigeration circuit containing fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Are the new Safe Handling of Refrigerants qualifications readily available?
Following extensive consultation between DEFRA, ACRIB, SummitSkills and the two nominated awarding bodies City and Guilds and ConstructionSkills, the new qualifications have been rolled out across the UK.
Are there any exemptions from personnel qualifications?
There are exemptions for three categories of personnel:
- Trainees are exempt for up to 2 years, but they must work under the supervision of a person with the requisite qualification (including an interim certificate) and must be enrolled on a relevant training course.
- Personnel only undertaking brazing, soldering or welding on a piece of RAC equipment would be exempt if they hold a nationally recognised qualification to undertake such activities and if they are supervised by a person holding the requisite F gas certificate covering the relevant activity. A proposal for the appropriate qualification is included in the current consultation process, so that GB personnel can benefit from this derogation.
Personnel undertaking recovery of F gases from “waste equipment” under the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) EC 96/2002 with an F gas charge less than 3 kg, in premises covered by a suitable permit, are exempt provided that they are employed by the company holding the permit and have completed a training course on the minimum skills and knowledge corresponding to Category III that is verified by an attestation of competence issued by the permit holder.
Where do the Regulations apply?
The Secretery of State for the Environmnet, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department
of Environment have taken the decision to designate REFCOM as a mandatory F gas
company certification scheme that can issue stationary equipment qualification company
certificates (full certificates) and interim certificates in GB and Northern Ireland.
I have not received my F Gas Company Certificate, am I trading illegally?
If you have applied on-line or made a postal application for your F Gas Company certification but have not yet received your certificate, don't worry. Provided you've met the certification standards, your business details will appear in the public listing on Refcom's website with your registration number. Your business has complied with the FGG Regulations!
Certificates are being issued to each company, if you are not yet in receipt of your certificate one will follow shortly.
Why do I need to have taken my City and Guilds 2078 or CITB J01 prior to 9 March 2009?
9 March 2009 is the date that the GB F gas Regulations 2009 (SI 261) came into force. The EC Fgas Regulation and supporting Commission Regulation 303/2008 lay down requirements that any interim qualification needed to already have been gained by the date the Member State brings into force domestic legislation.
If you are affected by this clarification we recommend that you take one of the new qualifications ConstructionSkills (formerly CITB) J11-J14 or City and Guilds 2079 categories I-IV.
I am a Refcom F Gas Certificated business, can I use Refcom’s logo on my stationery and company vehicles?
Customer of businesses such as yours often find it reassuring to see visible proof of high professional standards. Logos can help you achieve this reassurance and Refcom F Gas Certification logos are now available for use on your company stationery and vehicles.
Artwork for reproduction on printed materials is free of charge, van stickers are just £10 per pair. To start displaying your F Gas Certification, contact us.
How do I upgrade to Full Company Certification?
Refcom is offering a 15% discount to members holding Refcom Interim Certification who upgrade to Refcom Full Certification before 4 January 2011.
In preparation for July 2011 enhancements are being made to the Refcom website to ease the process of upgrading to Full Company Certification. Member businesses will shortly receive login credentials and further information on accessing and amending their business record online.
In the meantime, if you would like to take advantage of the 15% discount, please click here to download an upgrade application form.
How do I register with Refcom Elite?
You can apply in the following ways:
- Contact us for an application pack
- Postal application
What is the application process?
You can apply in the following ways:
What information do I have to provide?
Business will need to provide:
- information about the business
- proof that employed engineers holding an appropriate stationary equipment qualification (City and Guilds 2078 or 2079 or ConstructionSkills J01 or J11-J14) in handling F-gases in sufficient number to cover the expected volume of activities
- proof that employed engineers are ACRIB registered or hold a blue
or gold Engineering Services Skillcard in a refrigeration and air conditioning occupation
- proof that the business is a registered carrier of controlled waste
- proof that appropriate recovery systems and refrigerant handling procedures are in place and in use
How much does it cost?
|
All fees are subject to VAT at current rate |
|
Size of Business |
HVCA members |
Initial annual registration and
inspection |
Annual renewal |
|
Micro (sole trader) |
*No charge for
HVCA members |
£300 |
£250 |
|
Small (2-9 engineers) |
£350
|
£300 |
|
Medium (10-49 engineers) |
£450 |
£400 |
|
Large (50+ engineers) |
£550 |
£500 |
How often is my business inspected?
Businesses are re-inspected every three years to make sure they continue to meet the scheme standards. The three yearly inspection is carried out in the same way as the initial site inspection.
For members of the Heating Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA) inspection will form part of the HVCA triennial Inspection and Assessment regime.
See Refcom Elite Operation Booklet for full details
I am a Refcom F Gas Certificated business do I also need to join Refcom Elite?
No, membership of Refcom Elite is entirely voluntary.
I did not get my company F Gas Certificate with Refcom F Gas Certification can I still join Refcom Elite?
Yes, as long as the business meets membership criteria of Refcom Elite and can prove they have valid F Gas Certification with an approved Certification Body.
What do I get when I join?
Businesses will be issued with a Refcom Elite company certificate which is valid for twelve months. Businesses will also appear on the public listing of Refcom Elite members on Refcom’s website.
How often does my membership need to be renewed?
Every 12 months.
Why should I join Refcom Elite when my company already holds F Gas Certification?
Refcom Elite membership demands higher standards than those set out in the F Gas Regulations and sets businesses apart from their competitors.
Refcom Elite membership proves to owners/operators that, following independent third party inspection, refrigeration or air conditioning businesses:
- Can competently install, commission or maintain a system containing refrigerant
- Are licensed waste carriers
- Handle refrigerants safely
- Are compliant with all current legal requirements
- Operate auditable procedures for the proper control of refrigerants and can account for all refrigerant used and recovered
- Use appropriate, purpose-designed refrigerant recovery equipment
- Perform refrigerant transactions with minimum emissions and are environmentally aware
Does my Refcom Elite Membership cover me for F Gas Certification as well?
No, to enable your business to comply with the F Gas Regulations a separate application for Refcom F Gas Certification must be made. This can be done on-line or by post.
How does the Refcom Elite scheme compare to the mandatory F Gas Certification scheme?
|
Application Part
|
Detail
|
FGas Certification scheme
|
Elite
Scheme
|
|
Part 1
|
Ensure sufficient numbers
of certified employees/subcontractors
engaged to carry out refrigerant handling
|
a
|
a
|
|
Part 2
|
Ensure suitable tools and
procedure in place to carry out refrigerant handling (sub-contractors via their
own registrations)
|
a
|
a
|
|
Part 3
|
Ensure company possesses waste
carrying licence
Ensure company has refrigerant
movement audit in place with transfer notes
Ensure company uses properly
calibrated tools
Ensure company maintains correct
records to meet user legal obligations of site based refrigerant log book.
Ensure company meets ozone
depletion regulations standards.
Ensure company operates to
approved industry Codes of
Practice and good working
practice.
Ensure company operates health
and safety policy and meets CDM requirements.
External QA audit every 2/3
years to ensure obligations maintained for Parts 1, 2 and 3
All operatives registered
with ACRIB on the Refrigerant Handling Register or possess a blue/gold RAC occupational
related Engineering Services SKILLcard
|
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a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
|
Mandatory Scheme (F Gas Certification) - achieves Parts 1 and 2
Voluntary Scheme (Refcom Elite) - achieves Part 1, 2 and 3
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