If you are an ATF and depolute vehicles with Air Con systems this affects you.

All persons working on air conditioning and refrigeration systems (this includes Authorised Treatment Facilities of ELV's as well as the motor trade servicing air conditioning) are legally required to have the operatives trained and qualified to legally work on these systems from July 2010

Operators of relevant systems also have a range of obligations including prompt leakage repair, leakage checking and record keeping and ensuring qualified personnel are used.

Who is affected by the EC F gas Regulation?

On 2nd April 2008 the Commission published its minimum requirements for refrigeration handling qualifications, Reg EC 307/2008. These have been adopted by City & Guilds of London and Institutive of the Motor Industry Awards Ltd, whose specific automotive refrigerant handling qualifications meet the regulation requirements. This means after 4th July 2010 only personnel trained to one of these standards and possessing the aforementioned qualifications will be legally allowed to degas an ELV and handle any refrigerant produced and recovered. In addition, specified products and equipment that contain F gases will be subject to labelling requirements and specific uses of F gases and products that contain F gases are controlled or banned by the EC Regulation. These cover certain uses of sulphur hexafluoride for magnesium die-casting, use of certain F gases in non-refillable containers, fire protection systems, tyres, one component foams, novelty aerosols, footwear and windows and self chilling cans.

Guidance and interpretation:

http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/sustainability/fgases/page28889.html http://www.garageequipment.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/F-Gas%20Solutions.pdf

The BVSF is in the process of setting up training schemes for interested member companies, please contact your federation if you would like to be involved.