An agreement between the EU and the UK to continue the mutual recognition of professional certification should put minds at ease throughout the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, according to the UK’s primary F-Gas register REFCOM.
Months of protracted negotiations have produced welcome “clarity and certainty” for firms that operate in different parts of the EU, who feared their proof of competence would cease to be recognised after the UK formally withdraws from the EU at the end of January.
REFCOM registration will continue to be accepted throughout the EU during the transition period, which will last until the end of this year and probably beyond as the UK and EU thrash out a longer-term trading agreement.
“While Brexit heralds the start of a period of uncertainty for businesses, our industry is in the fortunate position of now knowing exactly where we stand on professional certification,” said Head of REFCOM Graeme Fox.
“This is great news for REFCOM members from the UK, who occasionally work in the Republic of Ireland or mainland Europe, and for members based in the EU zone who were concerned that their REFCOM registration would no longer be recognised outside the UK after 3131 January.”
Mr Fox said members could now plan ahead secure in the knowledge that their existing REFCOM registration would remain valid for use throughout the EU during the transition period “and hopefully beyond” as negotiations are ongoing to maintain the status quo in the long term.
“This means that our members do not have to fear losing out on their free service management software, reduced liability insurance premiums, and exclusive access to our technical help and published guidance.”
REFCOM operates the UK’s original and largest mandatory F-Gas Register as well as the voluntary REFCOM Elite registration scheme, which enables members to demonstrate they work to the highest environmental standards and that they are technically competent.