There are significant legal obligations that have been introduced affecting everyone who uses or maintains refigeration systems containing F-gases. Make sure you are aware of your obigations.
F-Gases are the commonest refrigerants in air conditioning, heat pumps and refrigeration systems. They contain HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) which affect global warming if they escape into the air. The European Union’s F-Gas Regulation No 842/2006 became law on 4 July 2006 to minimise emissions of these gases and is being imposed by a timetable of compliance deadlines.
Key Dates:
4th July 2009
Only certified companies who employ certified, qualified personnel can take delivery of refrigerants covered by the FGas Regulation.
1st January 2010
No virgin HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) can be supplied or used for servicing existing equipment.
4th July 2011
Personnel carrying out service, maintenance, recovery or leak checking on stationary refrigeration equipment containing refrigerants covered by the F Gas Regulation, must have obtained one of the updated national qualifications.
1st January 2015
No recycled or recovered HCFC can be supplied or used to service existing equipment. This date is currently under review by the European Commission and may be brought forward to 2012 for industrial process refrigeration.
BCA provide a complete F-Gas survey and compliance review. We also provide a bespoke training solution for your key facilities staff, along with contractors.