Following industry confusion about possible refrigerant handling legislation and the reclassification of refrigerants as hazardous waste, REFCOM, the register of companies competent to handle refrigerants in the UK, has made a renewed call for anyone hiring air conditioning contractors to exercise additional caution.
Stephen Crocker, REFCOM scheme co-ordinator, said: “The recent reclassification of fluorinated refrigerant gases as hazardous waste is an immediate driver for change in the way our industry handles refrigerants. These gases are subject to more regulatory governance, and handlers are required to track all refrigerant movement comprehensively and be registered with the Environment Agency.
“In addition, a national mandatory refrigerant handling scheme is closer and has wider reaching implications than people think,” Stephen continued. “If a mandatory national refrigerant handling scheme is introduced in the UK, it will mean end-users, such as facilities managers, will need to guarantee the contractors they hire operate safely and legally, ensuring minimum emissions. It is prudent to start adhering to the highest standards sooner rather than later to prevent expensive and complicated last minute checks or changes of contractor.”
REFCOM considers it vital that any hired contractor is able to prove that it operates under fully auditable procedures, which is a condition of membership of the scheme. Only contractors that can provide comprehensive cylinder, engineer and maintenance logs and details of supplier transactions on request should be selected.
Also, if a company is part of a scheme, such as REFCOM, that is already aligned with proposed government initiatives, facilities managers and others that hire contractors will know that they will get the best service from those they employ and prepare themselves well for potential incoming legislation.
“Major organisations are already asking that potential contractors have detailed proof that refrigerants are being handled responsibly and that they have membership of reputable schemes as a condition of appointment. There is no reason why companies of all sizes should not use the same criteria to ensure the highest standards of good practice are being followed. By doing this from the outset, facilities managers will receive the best service from those they employ and will be preparing themselves well for potential incoming legislation,” concluded Stephen.
