The Register

You can apply to join the ACRIB Register of Safe Refrigerant Handlers here or renew your registration here.

If you are a company and wish to apply for Company Registration you should contact REFCOM first. Refcom will be able to advise you of discounts available for individual operative registration fees.

ACRIB currently manages a voluntary register of personnel qualified as Safe Refrigerant Handlers. Any individual who handles refrigerants must be able to do so safely and with due regard to the environment, and the scheme aims to provide a national register of all those individuals who have successfully completed an approved refrigerant handling competence assessment. 
 
Why is it necessary?

The object of the scheme is to update and raise the standards of individuals' competence as part of the refrigeration industry's response to the increasingly important environmental demands made by society and the constantly changing technological requirements.
 
Who is running the scheme?

The scheme is being run by ACRIB which represents all of the main trade and professional institutions in the sector.

How does it operate?

The register is open only to individuals and operates on a voluntary basis. Registration is open to those who have successfully completed the City & Guilds 2078 Handling Refrigerants Assessment or an approved CITB refrigerants assessment. These two assessments provide a recognised standard of achievement and competence regardless of age or mode of training. Candidates are expected to provide evidence through observed performance (performance evidence) and by answering oral questions on topics indicated (knowledge evidence). The purpose of the oral questioning is to confirm that candidates have the underpinning knowledge required by the performance criteria.  For a list of centres offering qualifications see our training pages.

How much does it cost?

Approved centres usually recommend that updating and refresher training takes place depending on the individual's experience, and the cost for this will vary according to different assessment centre methods of delivery.  The cost of registering with ACRIB's Refrigerant Handling Register is £40 (including VAT). Registration lasts for three years. 

 
Is there a company registration scheme?

A voluntary company registration scheme exists called REFCOM. This scheme is open to companies who can demonstrate that they meet specific requirements such as having an auditable procedure for refrigerant control, conformity with current legal requirements, use of refrigerant recovery equipment and certification of personnel. The REFCOM scheme demands that all relevant personnel have ACRIB registration. Further details of this scheme can be obtained from www.refcom.org.uk
 
Is it compulsory?

Registration is purely voluntary, although ACRIB is currently in discussion with the UK government on how this scheme could help to meet UK requirements under the F Gas Regulation.  It is now illegal to work on ODS or F Gas Refrigerants unless you hold an existing refrigerant handling qualification.

How can I prove I'm registered?

A registered refrigerant handler is provided with a unique registration number and a registration photo-ID card. Anyone can contact ACRIB to confirm the validity of this registration card.

 
Is registration for life?

An important aspect of the scheme is that registration is only valid for three years, after which renewal of registration is required. Re-registration may require successful completion of a reassessment in order to provide verification of competence, but this depends on whether the City & Guilds or CITB qualifications have been updated to take into account recent developments in technology and knowledge.

Why should I bother?

It is vital that the industry faces up to its responsibilities to protect the environment. Studies have shown that considerable amounts of refrigerants are used through unnecessary leakage and bad practice, and one way of overcoming this is to ensure that only competent people handle refrigerants. This also makes good economic sense, as it is likely that some refrigerants will become extremely scarce in the near future and efficient recovery of refrigerants will be vital. It is also clear that end users of refrigeration equipment are demanding that companies servicing and supplying equipment provide evidence of their personnel's competence.

The ACRIB registration scheme provides industry and individuals with an industry-led and government encouraged standard which can be recognised by all. The registration scheme gives individuals, companies and customers the confidence that they are using recognised, competent personnel.
  
How can I apply?

If you wish to apply for registration  you can find guidance, registration forms and lists of centres where you can gain refrigerant handling qualifications on this site, following the links to the left.  

I have lost my ACRIB card, can you reissue?

Yes we can reissue lost cards. You will need to write to us including two new photographs and payment of £10 to cover administration costs.