ShareUK: uncertified persons can buy F-gases for the servicing of MAC systems
The UK government has confirmed that “F-gas” refrigerants can be sold to unqualified persons servicing mobile air conditioning (MAC) systems.
The UK government has confirmed that “F-gas” refrigerants can be sold to
unqualified persons servicing mobile air conditioning (MAC) systems.
Countermanding a previous notice, the UK Environment Agency has now announced that purchasing restrictions on refrigerants only apply to those recovering F-gases, including R134a, from MAC systems.
In June, the Environment Agency notified the MAC sector stakeholders that, under the EU F-gas Regulation (Regulation 517/2014), they could no longer purchase F-gas without demonstrating that it would be used by a qualified technician. This, the agency said, would prevent the ‘over-the-counter’ purchases of F-gas without proven evidence of refrigerant recovery qualification.
According to the Environment Agency, this interpretation of the legislation was questioned by anonymous UK industry stakeholders.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is said to have sought additional legal advice and, following further examination of the legislation, has concluded that such purchasing restrictions do not apply to the servicing of MAC; only to the recovery of F-gases from such systems.
In the new statement released last month, DEFRA stated: “Therefore, the UK Government believes that it remains legal to sell F-gases for use in mobile air-conditioning systems to those who do not hold recovery qualifications.”
“Such F-gas products must, nevertheless, still comply with the provisions of the 2014 Regulation, which requires that they are only sold in refillable containers (Article 11(1) and Annex III) with suitable provision having been made for its return for refilling,” it adds.
Countermanding a previous notice, the UK Environment Agency has now announced that purchasing restrictions on refrigerants only apply to those recovering F-gases, including R134a, from MAC systems.
In June, the Environment Agency notified the MAC sector stakeholders that, under the EU F-gas Regulation (Regulation 517/2014), they could no longer purchase F-gas without demonstrating that it would be used by a qualified technician. This, the agency said, would prevent the ‘over-the-counter’ purchases of F-gas without proven evidence of refrigerant recovery qualification.
According to the Environment Agency, this interpretation of the legislation was questioned by anonymous UK industry stakeholders.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is said to have sought additional legal advice and, following further examination of the legislation, has concluded that such purchasing restrictions do not apply to the servicing of MAC; only to the recovery of F-gases from such systems.
In the new statement released last month, DEFRA stated: “Therefore, the UK Government believes that it remains legal to sell F-gases for use in mobile air-conditioning systems to those who do not hold recovery qualifications.”
“Such F-gas products must, nevertheless, still comply with the provisions of the 2014 Regulation, which requires that they are only sold in refillable containers (Article 11(1) and Annex III) with suitable provision having been made for its return for refilling,” it adds.