REFCOM signs up 10,000th member

REFCOM, the UK’s primary F-Gas certification body, has registered its 10,000th member, reflecting rising levels of best practice across the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) sector.

Greater regulatory pressures prompted by the Building Safety Act, growing scrutiny around environmental standards and surging demand for heat pumps means more building engineering contractors are turning to REFCOM to help them achieve legal compliance and demonstrate professional competence, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), which operates the register.

“We have reached this incredible milestone at a pivotal moment for the industry,” said BESA’s director of competence and compliance Jill Nicholls. “There is greater scrutiny on all aspects of building engineering work with clients increasingly demanding evidence of technical and regulatory compliance.

“The surge in demand for heat pumps and other low carbon solutions is also ramping up the pressure on our members to reach and maintain higher standards of safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility – and they are increasingly turning to REFCOM for help.”

Digital tools
Nicholls added that REFCOM’s ongoing investment in digital tools, training partnerships, and its ‘Elite Membership’ scheme offered further practical support to contractors beyond certification. She said these would be increasingly important to firms working to meet rising customer expectations and cope with further proposed changes to legislation.

Mayfair Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Ltd was the 10,000^th company to join the register and managing director Yousaf Hussain (pictured above) was presented with a special commemorative prize donated by the specialist tool supplier Milwaukee of an M18 FUEL™ Power Pack.

“This is a tremendous honour and a really pleasant surprise,” said Hussain who only set up his business a few months ago. “Joining REFCOM was something I realised I needed to do almost as soon as I got the company going – not just because of the need to be technically and legally compliant but to demonstrate my professional credentials to potential clients and show that I intend to be in this vital industry for the long-term.

“Thank you to BESA and Milwaukee for your support and generosity. This has given my fledgling business a huge early boost.”

Milwaukee added its congratulations to Mayfair and said it was delighted to be able to mark such a significant milestone for the industry and F-Gas registration.

“The fact that this is a start-up business which has demonstrated its commitment to professional standards from the outset is doubly pleasing,” said Andre Muhith, JSS national sales manager - Mechanical & Plumbing*.

“REFCOM goes from strength to strength and is making sure the industry can provide the necessary reassurance to clients and the wider public that refrigerant gases are being safely and sustainably managed.”

REFCOM also recently announced the appointment of incoming Institute of Refrigeration President Stephen Gill to its technical support team.

He brings more than 40 years’ experience in the RACHP sector and will be supporting BESA’s work with government, international organisations and industry stakeholders, alongside supporting the development of technical guidance and industry best practice for RACHP contractors.

“The industry is facing rapid change in skills, refrigerants, heat pumps, energy efficiency and compliance, so there is real value in helping to translate technical and regulatory developments into practical guidance that supports contractors and end users alike,” said Gill.

“BESA has an important role to play in supporting standards, competence and collaboration across the sector, and I’m pleased to be joining a team that is committed to those goals.”

The Association added that Gill’s appointment along with ongoing investment in REFCOM’s operations would further strengthen its position as the UK’s leading F-Gas certification body and support the government’s aims of reducing the environmental impact of the RACHP sector.

*Milwaukee Tool is the power tool brand of Techtronic Industries (TTI), and the JSS (Job Site Solutions) team is Milwaukee’s specialist end-user sales division, working directly with contractors and industry partners.