F-Gas regulations. the reasons the law the solution. autoclimate

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1 PART NO MAY 2009 V.1.1 F-Gas regulations the reasons the law the solution TM autoclimate

2 the reasons background information Climate change and global warming have raised international awareness concerning the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was agreed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and 189 countries have now signed it, including the United States and Australia. The ultimate aim of the Convention was to stabilise greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a level that would avoid dangerous climate change. It also placed a nonbinding commitment on developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by Once the futility of these voluntary and nonbinding commitments was recognised through the continuing increase in emissions and their measurable impact, parties to the treaty decided to establish a protocol that would be binding for the developed nations. This led to the meeting in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997 which produced the Kyoto Protocol. In April 2002 the European Council approved the Kyoto Protocol and committed the European Community and Member States to reduce their man-made emissions of greenhouse gases including R-134a. Motor vehicles contribute to emissions of three of the gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol. Carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide (from the internal combustion engine). R-134a hydrofluorocarbon, (i.e. tetrafluoroethane to give its chemical name, as used in air conditioning and climate control systems). For the past six years the RMIF* supported by Autoclimate LTD s technical expertise, has chaired the UK s Motor Cabin Air Conditioning Committee (MCACC) which has liaised with DEFRA and with other trade associations during the evolution of the F-Gas regulations. *Retail Motor Industry Federation.

3 the law Under - Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 Of The European Parliament And Of The Council of 17 May 2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases. There are four main areas which affect the motor sector: Training and certification of refrigerant handlers. E.g. Motor Vehicle Technicians. The handling of refrigerant cylinders (including non-refillable) and their complete recovery prior to disposal. Efficient recovery of system refrigerant during servicing, repair and dismantling (endof-life). Taking delivery of Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases. E.g. HFC R-134a. Under this regulation there is also a European directive, Directive 2006/40/EC of the European Parliament and of The Council of 17 May 2006 relating to emissions from air-conditioning systems in motor vehicles and amending Council Directive 70/156/EEC designed to help achieve the EU F-Gas regulation. This EC directive is commonly referred to as the Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) Directive. It aims to control the rate of leakage of HFC R-134a and to phase out its use and any other fluorinated greenhouse gas with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) higher than 150. Hydrofluorocarbon- HFC R-134a has a global warming potential of 1300 over 100 years. The MAC Directive s current scope specifically applies to cars and light vans and deals with amongst others the following elements. Leakage Rates To limit emissions from vehicle air conditioning systems the Commission defined a leak detection test for vehicle manufacturers together with leakage rates in order to gain type approval. Refilling Vehicles using HFC R-134a should not be refilled if abnormal amounts of refrigerant are leaking from the system until the system has been repaired. F-Gas regulations

4 the law On 2 April 2008 the Commission published its minimum requirements for refrigerant handling qualifications Commission Regulation EC No. 307/2008. These requirements have now been adopted by City & Guilds of London Institute (C&G) and Institute of Motor Industry Awards Limited (IMIAL). These specific automotive refrigerant handling qualifications meet the requirements of the regulation. After 4th of July 2010 only personnel possessing one of these qualifications will be considered as legally qualified to take delivery, handle, and recover fluorinated refrigerant gases. The consequences of continuing to recover, transfer or handle refrigerant without the relevant qualifications are punishable by law. This applies to employer and employee. The Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and local authorities are the principle enforcement bodies. Details of penalties can be found in document 2009 No.261 Environmental Protection The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations All documentation is available on request in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. - Directive 2006/40/EC of the European Parliament and of The Council of 17 May Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 of The European Parliament and of The Council of 17 May Commission Regulation (EC) No 307/ No.261 Environmental Protection The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009 F-Gas regulations

5 the solution Our most frequently asked questions are: I already have a qualification. Am I covered? The only qualifications recognised after 4th July 2010 will be those that meet the requirements of Regulation EC 307/2008 and adopted by awarding bodies C&G, IMI and IMIAL as indicated in the table below. City & Guilds Stand alone refrigerant handling qualification as offered by Autoclimate LTD. (Meets the minimum requirements of Regulation EC 307/2008) Part of structured training course for Level 3 Certificate in Mobile Air Conditioning which includes the refrigerant handling qualification. (Meets the minimum requirements of Regulation EC 307/2008). IMIAL IMIA/AC08/1 ATA route IMI AC1 IMI route What does the new qualification entail? Minimum Knowledge and Skills Module Type 1. Operation of air-conditioning systems containing fluorinated greenhouse gases in motor vehicles, environmental impact of fluorinated greenhouse gas refrigerants and corresponding environmental regulations Basic knowledge of the operation of air conditioning systems in motor vehicles T Basic knowledge of the use and properties of the fluorinated greenhouse gases used as refrigerants in air-conditioning systems in motor vehicles, the impact of the emissions of these gases on the environment (order of magnitude of their Global Warming Potential in relation to climate change) Basic knowledge of the relevant provisions of Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 and Directive 2006/40/EC T T 2. Environment-friendly recovery of fluorinated greenhouse gas 2.1 Knowledge of common procedures for recovering fluorinated greenhouse gases T 2.2 Handling a refrigerant cylinder P 2.3 Connecting and disconnecting a recovery set to and from the service ports of a motor vehicle air-conditioning system containing fluorinated greenhouse gases P 2.4 Operating a recovery set P T : Theoretical P : Practical where the applicant shall perform the corresponding task with the relevant material, tools and equipment. What are the costs? The cost to you per candidate is 295 for the first candidate and 220 for subsequent candidates assessed at the same time. C&G

6 benefits of using Autoclimate Autoclimate LTD were selected at the start to act in an advisory capacity with the Retail Motor Industry Federation*, on UK Government consultations regarding F-Gas Regulations. We are able to offer you in association with City & Guilds, a cost effective and convenient solution to meet the legal, mandatory requirement. Our refrigerant handling assessment has the flexibility to be carried out at your premises, using your facilities and equipment. Advantages are: minimal staff down time. no travel or accommodation costs. minimum disruption. minimal workload interference. delivery of assessment arranged to suit you. The assessment lasts approximately one hour per candidate. During the assessment the technician will need to show: Environment-friendly recovery of fluorinated greenhouse gas Handling a refrigerant cylinder Operating a recovery set The cost includes: An assessor to visit site. A qualification handbook. C&G registration. C&G certification. Our qualification handbook, supplied to each candidate prior to assessment, has been written to cover the following elements: Basic knowledge of the relevant provisions of Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 and Directive 2006/40/EC. Basic knowledge of the operation of air conditioning systems in motor vehicles. Operation of air-conditioning systems containing fluorinated greenhouse gases in motor vehicles, environmental impact of fluorinated greenhouse gas refrigerants and corresponding environmental regulations. Basic knowledge of the use and properties of the fluorinated greenhouse gases used as refrigerants in air-conditioning systems in motor vehicles, the impact of the emissions of these gases on the environment (order of magnitude of their Global Warming Potential in relation to climate change) Connecting and disconnecting a recovery set to and from the service ports of a motor vehicle air-conditioning system containing fluorinated greenhouse gases. * Trade association for the retail motor industry flexibility, convenience professionalism

7 The handbook has been specifically designed to provide the candidate with the underpinning knowledge required to pass the assessment and gain the qualification. If you wish to register please complete the enclosed fax back registration form. On receipt of your form we will proceed to register your candidates. For each candidate a qualification handbook will be issued and a letter of confirmation will be sent to you. An assessor will then contact you to arrange an exact time and date for the assessment to take place. If you require any further information please do not hesitate in contacting us on: Disclaimer The information contained within this booklet is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change as the legislation is developed. Autoclimate Ltd will not be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear within this booklet or share any liability in the undertaking or performance of work carried out. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT NOTICE Autoclimate Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this manual, publication or text may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying scanning or storing in any medium by electronic means and whether in permanent or temporary form) without the written permission of the copyright owner. Applications for permission to reproduce the whole or any part or parts of this booklet, publication or text should be addressed to the copyright owners at their registered office. Autoclimate Ltd. Head Office & Development Centre, Unit 37, Atcham Business Park, Atcham, Nr Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4UG You are advised that doing, permitting or allowing any unauthorised act in relation to a copyright work may result in a civil claim for damages and/or criminal prosecution. To the extent permitted by law Autoclimate Limited nor any of its directors or employees will be liable in negligence or for breach of contract or otherwise for any direct indirect incidental or consequential loss or damage resulting from any person acting, omitting to act or refraining from acting in reliance on the material contained in this manual, publication, text and any written or oral advice or instruction given in relation to or in consequence of it.

8 TM autoclimate Autoclimate Ltd Head Office & Development Centre Unit 37, Atcham Business Park Atcham, Nr Shrewsbury Shropshire SY4 4UG Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0)