THERE is to be no amnesty for refrigeration and air conditioning firms who fail to register under the F-gas regulations by July 4. With just a week to go now to the deadline, companies are being implored to register with REFCOM immediately.

Responding to concerns raised at this week's F Gas Essentials seminar, a DEFRA spokesman said:
'Given the difficulties encountered in designating an appropriate certification body to issue interim and full certificates for both the RAC and fire protection sectors, it is likely that there will be a number of companies who may not have received either an interim or a full certificate by 4th July 2009. Failure to hold a certificate will however be an offence under the GB F gas Regulations 2009.'

F-gas certificates are required by every business which carries out installation, maintenance or servicing of stationary refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump equipment that contains or is designed to contain F-gas refrigerants.

To obtain an interim company certificate, businesses must employ engineers holding either the old City & Guilds 2078 or CITB J01, or the new City & Guilds 2079 or CITB J11-J14

After July 2011 all businesses must hold a full company certificate. To obtain a full company certificate, businesses must employ engineers that have the new City & Guilds 2079 or CITB J11-J14 qualifications. In addition, businesses must also prove that they have in place appropriate recovery systems and refrigerant handling procedures.

Businesses who have not yet contacted REFCOM should visit the new website which has full details of the application procedure at www.refcom.org.uk. Additional help and assistance can be found on the ACRIB website: www.acrib.org.uk.