What is the purpose of the F gas Regulations?

The principal objective of the EC Regulation is to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of F-Gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol, so as to help combat climate change.

Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases) are very powerful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change if emitted to the atmosphere. F-Gases include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which are commonly used as refrigerants.

The EC F-Gas Regulation (No. 842/2006) on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases – aims to reduce emissions of HFCs, PFCs and SF6. The key requirements in this Regulation applied from July 2007 and are directly binding in all Member States. Irish Regulations have been published to give further effect in Ireland to specific elements of the F-Gas Regulation.

Stationary Refrigeration, Air-conditioning, Heat pumps and Fire System Users have numerous obligations to prevent leakage of F-Gas refrigerants, especially for any equipment containing 3 kg or more of refrigerant. RAC systems using hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) refrigerants such as R22 need to address a ban on the use of this refrigerant which came into force in 2010 for virgin refrigerant and in 2015 for recycled fluid.

There are also many obligations that apply to Stationary Refrigeration, Air-conditioning, Heat pumps and Fire System suppliers and maintenance contractors, especially related to the use of appropriately qualified personnel and certification of companies.

Mobile Air-Conditioning, Solvent Cleaning & Switchgear containing sulphur hexafluoride the obligations for these sectors are more limited in scope mainly relating to proper recovery of gas during maintenance and at end of life.

Other sectors - Some sectors such as electronics manufacture, foam blowing and aluminium smelting have no specific obligations under the Regulations, but all users should be aware that emissions of F-Gases are very harmful to the environment and they should be making all practical and economically feasible efforts to reduce emissions. A number of sectors are affected by bans on F-Gas usage, these include novelty aerosols, one component foam, magnesium die casting and non-refillable containers.

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Is my business affected by the Regulations?

The Regulations apply to all sizes and types of business sole traders, partnerships, limited companies and public limited companies.

If your business carries out installation, maintenance or servicing of stationary refrigeration, stationary Fire Protection systems and Extinguishers, air conditioning or heat pump equipment (SRAC work) that contains or is designed to contain F-Gas refrigerants then you must obtain either an Fire sector company certificate or a stationary equipment qualification company certificate.

Businesses carrying out SRAC work after 4th July 2009 without one or other of these certificates will be committing an offence. Businesses within the Fire Sector carrying out work after 4th July 2009 without one or other of these certificates will be committing an offence.

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What are the certification standards?

Stationary Refrigeration, Air-conditioning & Heat pumps

Contractors must only employ and operators must only use engineers/ technicians with suitable qualifications.

In addition to the European Commission F-Gas Regulation, the implementing Commission Regulation (EC) No. 303/2008, sets out minimum qualifications for personnel working on stationary RAC systems that contain or are designed to contain HFCs. This Regulation refers to four different levels of certification, which allow personnel to carry out different activities. These are:

1. Category I certificate holders may carry out all of the following activities for any size of RAC systems containing HFC refrigerants – leak checking, refrigerant recovery, installation, maintenance and servicing.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. 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.

The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) has developed, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, a national specification for F-Gas and ODS certification for stationary RAC qualifications that meets the minimum requirements of F-Gas Regulation – FETAC Level 5 (Special Purpose Certificate in Handling F-Gas Refrigerants 5S0108). Further details on the FETAC courses are available at www.fetac.ie and www.refrigerationskillnet.ie. This qualification or City and Guilds (Level 2 Award in F-Gas Regulation, No.2079) will be accepted in Ireland and FETAC courses will be accepted by other Member States under mutual recognition obligations.

Fire Protection systems and Extinguishers

In addition to the European Commission F-Gas Regulation, the implementing Commission Regulation (EC) No. 304/2008, sets out minimum qualifications for personnel working on stationary Fire Protection systems and Extinguishers that contain or are designed to contain HFCs. The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) has developed, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, a national specification for F-Gas certification for stationary Fire Protection systems and Extinguishers qualifications that meets the minimum requirements of F-Gas Regulation – FETAC Level 5 (Special Purpose Certificate in Handling F-Gas Fire Extinguishants 5S0110).

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Are sub-contractors covered by the Regulations?

If your business employs sub-contractors to carry out SRAC work then those sub-contractors must have a certificate. You can not apply for a certificate on their behalf.

If a company or sub contractor directly employs personnel to undertake F-Gas activities then the company or sub contractor must hold a company certificate and the personnel will be required to hold appropriate qualifications.

If a company sub-contracts all/some of this type of work and only acts in a project management capacity (i.e. it does not directly employ any qualified staff to work on RAC equipment containing or designed to contain F-Gases) then the company may not require a company certificate.

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How do I apply for an F gas company certificate?

If your business is affected by the Regulations then you must obtain either an fire sector certificate or a stationary equipment qualification company certificate.

You can apply and pay for a certificate online using this website. Alternatively, click here to request or download an application form.

To save time and to ensure your online application goes smoothly you will need the following information and documents to hand:

• Business name, company registration number, address and contact details
• Type of work undertaken
• Industry/customer
• Turnover per latest annual accounts (optional)
• The names of employed engineers (including yourself if you are a sole trader, partner or director) who carry out SRAC / Fire sector work together with details of their industry qualifications, as shown above
• Payment can be made by cheque, PayPal or direct payment into F Gas Registration bank account (details on request). The latter payment method is preferred to speed up the registration process
• Finally, an authorised official of the business - e.g. business owner, director or company secretary must declare that the information supplied is true and correct.

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How much do certificates cost?

Registration and Certification is valid until 31st December each year

F Gas Registration Ltd has been fully operational for registration and certification since early January 2011. Companies operating since then without registration have been breaking the law. There will be no concession for companies operating without registration.

All registrations in 2011 are valid to 31st December 2011 and existing companies operating throughout 2011 but registering first time in 2012 will be backcharged for the 2011 non payment. Companies formed during 2011 will be charged from the date of formation to the 31st Dec 2011 but if they only register first time in 2012 they will be backcharged for the period in 2011 that they were operational.

Additional fees may apply in certain cases (for example duplicate copies of certificates).

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How long does the application process take?

Provided you have the necessary information and documents to hand, for an average size SRAC / Fire sector business the application process should take no more than fifteen minutes.

For larger businesses, allow extra time to enter details for each additional employed engineer.

Online applicants will receive an automatic confirmation that the application and payment have been received.

Subject to satisfactory validation and verification, certificates for both online and postal applications will be despatched within fifteen working days.

We recommend that applicants use the online application process and choose to pay by electronic fund transfer to greatly speed up the process.

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When can I apply for a certificate?

You can apply for a company certificate now. Click here to begin the application process.

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How often do certificates need to be renewed?

Certificates are valid from the date of company registration with F Gas Registration until 31st December in the year of issue

If this is the first application after January 1st 2011 then you will be required to pay from 1st January 2011 (or from you company's incorporation date)

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Why does a business need a company certificate?

If your business does not have a company certificate by 4th July 2009 it will be subject to EPA enforcement measures.

The Regulations place strict obligations on operators of SRAC equipment and Fire Protection equipment and if your business is not certificated you will be placing you and your customers at risk.

Refrigerant / Fire protection gas and equipment suppliers are strong supporters of the Regulations. They are likely, therefore, to request sight of your company certificate before fulfilling any order your business needs.

All registrations in 2011 are valid to 31st December 2011 and existing companies operating throughout 2011 but registering first time in 2012 will be backcharged for the 2011 non payment.

Companies formed during 2011 will be charged from the date of formation to the 31st Dec 2011 but if they only register first time in 2012 they will be backcharged for the period in 2011 that they were operational.

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Will my business be audited once I hold a company certificate?

Businesses that hold a stationary equipment qualification company certificate may be subject to either an annual desk-top or on-site risk based audit.

The audit model is detailed in the Certification Scheme Operations Booklet.

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