Guidance on working on F gas systems in the EU

DEFRA F-Gas and ODS Team have circulated a notice advising that technicians who wish to continue to work in the EU can obtain a certificate of equivalence from the Irish Environmental Protection Agency - provided they apply by 30th April 2021.

The DEFRA email states that:

"F-gas certificates and training attestations issued by a UK certification body are no longer recognised in EU member states following the end of the Transition Period. A programme was established under Irish legislation which provides for holders of UK F-gas personnel certificates and training attestations to obtain an equivalent Irish certificate/attestation from the Irish Environmental Protection Agency. Irish certificates/attestations are recognised in Ireland and other EU member states. The programme has been extended and allows for:

• Continued recognition of UK F-gas personnel certificates and training attestations in Ireland until 30 June 2021, provided the UK certificates/attestations were issued by 31 December 2020.
• Individuals who hold a UK F-gas certificate or training attestation to apply to the Irish Environmental Protection Agency for a certificate/attestation that is valid in Ireland and other EU member states in respect of the same activity, provided their UK certificate/attestation was issued by 31 December 2020. Applications to the Environmental Protection Agency must be made by 30 April 2021. This process does not involve re-training and there is no fee.

This programme also applies to UK qualifications and certificates valid for leak checking, recovery or maintenance or servicing of equipment containing ODS.  

For further information on how to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency, please visit: (http://epa.ie/air/airenforcement/ozone/training/brexitodsfgas/)

F-gas company certificates issued by a UK certification body are no longer valid for work in Ireland or other EU member states. The equivalent Irish programme for companies holding UK certification ended on 31 December 2020. Companies will now need to obtain a recognised certification where relevant from one of the 27 EU member states for work in Ireland and the rest of the EU."

Any queries relating to these arrangements or your ongoing F Gas Regulated activities should be addressed to the F-gas and ODS Team at Defra (fgas@defra.gov.uk).