ACRIB issues position statement on effectiveness of the F Gas Regulations - 21/7/2010
An industry-wide analysis of the F Gas Regulation in the UK carried out by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB) has found that the single most significant barrier to effectiveness of the Regulation is the lack of visible enforcement, policing and mechanisms to guarantee compliance or report non-compliance.
“The consensus of industry, many elements of which have made considerable investment in compliance, is that containment works, but improved enforcement is necessary to fully achieve the emissions reductions possible under the Regulation,” stated Mike Nankivell, Chairman of the ACRIB F Gas Implementation Group.
An ACRIB position paper reviewing F Gas Regulation in the UK, based on industry’s practical experience to date has been endorsed by the various industry groups represented by ACRIB. In addition to calling for increased support from UK Government in raising awareness of leakage issues amongst equipment owners, the ACRIB position paper emphasises that sufficient time is necessary to fully assess the positive impact of industry initiatives to reduce leakage such as the IOR’s REAL Zero.
ACRIB Chairman, David Bostock, said: “We can see in the many positive steps taken by supermarket groups and retailers to comply with the Regulation that there has been a definite reduction in emissions from these sectors. We now need increased Government support in raising awareness of leakage issues and ensuring compliance across all industry sectors.”
The paper makes seven key recommendations which industry believes will increase the effectiveness of the F Gas Regulation in the UK.
• The introduction of mandatory individual registration and public databases of company certification scheme members
• That refrigerant suppliers be responsible for ensuring that only appropriately certified individuals can be supplied with F Gas refrigerants.
• An awareness campaign aimed at equipment operators covering enforcement in combination with a ‘non-compliant’ operator reporting service.
• Government to ensure that standards are maintained by the UK’s two bodies appointed to issue individual training certifications.
• Government actively monitor all three company certification bodies to ensure common standards industry-wide.
• Company certification bodies be authorised to carry out greater verification of applicants.
• More active enforcement and increased policing of operators’ legal obligations under the Regulation to take place
ACRIB is calling for an open dialogue with all relevant policy makers into its findings, and recommends that they form the basis of UK input into the EU review of the Regulation in July 2011.