F-Gas legislation will cause backlog

According to Develop Training, the leading technical skills training provider in the UK, many engineers did not comply with the July deadline and many are now working illegally.

Mark Dougall, Director at Develop Training, explained: “We are worried about this for two reasons - not only could individuals be fined if they don’t gain their qualifications but we may also see a shortage of engineers able to legally undertake important servicing and maintenance work.

“We realise that many operators who have not yet undertaken the training, may not even be aware of it, and there are also the timing pressures and cost factors.”

“The legislation is part of the EU F-Gas Regulations, the first part of which was introduced in 2007. Since 2009 any company which employs engineers working under F-Gas Regulations must have a Company Certificate but in July 2011 this has been extended to individuals. Anyone carrying out service, maintenance, recovery or leak checking on refrigeration equipment covered by the regulations must have completed one of the updated national qualifications.

“It is those who have recognised the importance of these legislation changes and are most prepared that will reap the rewards - with better qualified and more efficient workers, less downtime and minimal disruption.”

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