The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) recently announced the launch of a public consultation on proposals for certification and qualification requirements for F-gases and other ozone-depleting substances.

The consultation seeks views on how best to meet EC Regulations in relation to certain F-gases which aim to improve reporting, leakage checking, labelling, company certification and personnel registration requirements for equipment involving F-gases in five industrial (F-gas usage) sectors. The sectors include: (a) fire protection, (b) mobile air-conditioning, (c) High Voltage switchgear, (d) solvent cleaning, and (e) stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning. The new F-gas qualifications also cover working with ozone-depleting substances.

The proposals look to address the need for personnel to have qualifications to work with these gases. Views and comments are invited by 3 October 2008 on both of the proposed Regulations and the associated Partial Impact Assessment.