Is your Air Dryer Service company compliant with latest regulations?
August 02nd 2007

The European Union’s F-gas Regulation No 842/2006 which became law last year imposes obligations on operators of this equipment from 4 July 2007.

F-gases include HFCs, which are the commonest refrigerants in use today. The Regulation aims to minimise emissions of these gases, which affect global warming if they escape into the air.

User responsibilities

Operators are defined as people or organisations that have actual power over the technical functioning of the equipment. The legal responsibility for compliance with the regulation lies with the operator. Any equipment small enough to plug in rather than have to be permanently wired is likely to be excluded from the requirements, other than an overall requirement to prevent leakage and to repair any leaks as soon as possible.

For stationary refrigeration, air dryers, air conditioning and heat pump units over 3kg charge (6 kg if hermetic), operators must:

• Prevent leakage, and repair any leaks as soon as possible

• Arrange proper refrigerant recovery by certified personnel during

• Servicing and disposal

• Carry out leak checks to the schedule shown below

• Ensure that only certified competent personnel carry out leakage checks

• Maintain records of refrigerants and of servicing

Service Companies

You will be affected by minimum requirements for training and certification of companies and personnel involved in installation, maintenance, servicing,

containment, and recovery activities. By 4 July 2008 at the latest, the Government

will establish training and certification requirements based on EC requirements. It is

hoped that these will be linked to existing requirements relating to handling of ozone

depleting refrigerants (e.g. R22).

Concerned?

Hi-line Industries can offer services/repairs to refrigeration equipment that completely complies with the above. Its service department personnel are ACRIB registered and the company has an Environment Agency hazardous waste registration for refrigeration gases/HFC`s.

For more information on how to ensure your service company or operator are compliant not leaving your company exposed, just  click here

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