AREA upbeat on ENVI training proposals
2nd March 2023
BELGIUM: In contrast to manufacturers’ group, the European contractors’ association AREA has welcomed the F-gas revisions proposed by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee.
While, manufacturers’ group EPEE and the EHPA have expressed concerns over the proposed equipment bans, the accelerated phase down, and its impact on the take up of heat pumps that could jeopardise the EU’s climate goals, AREA is upbeat about the certification and training proposals.
A comment on the AREA website says: “In particular, we are pleased to see that the proposal to extend the current F-gas training and certification scheme to alternative refrigerants, for which AREA has been advocating for, has been adopted with broad support.”
It maintains that training and certification will be required to avoid accidents, injury and fatalities involving systems with alternative greenhouse gas refrigerant systems.
“However, ensuring the widespread of training and certifications for those refrigerants across Europe will require time,” it adds, and point out that the timing “needs to be aligned with market and technological realities”.
AREA says it also regrets that the importance of extending periodical inspections and leak checks to prevent safety risks on technicians, personnel and end-users has not been recognised.
“Since they were introduced in the 2006 F-gas regulation, leak check requirements have proven to be effective and efficient, bringing lower leakage rates with positive climate and energy consumption impacts. With the increased use of alternative refrigerants, all of which present safety issues and many of which are flammable, regular leak checks are necessary to ensure safe and energy-efficient system operation,” AREA adds.
Related stories:
“Pause for thought,” says EPEE – 1 March 2023
BELGIUM: EPEE has urged the European Parliament to pause for thought before pressing ahead with the F-gas bans voted for by its environment committee. Read more…
Enviro committee backs “ambitious” F-gas revision – 1 March 2023
EUROPE: The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has today agreed to an “ambitious” revision of the F-gas regulation (517/2014) despite industry concerns that the proposals are unrealistic and jeopardise climate targets. Read more…
Euro vote a major setback for heat pumps – 1 March 2023
BELGIUM: The European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) has described today’s F-gas vote as a major setback for heat pumps in Europe. Read more…
EIA applauds positive F-gas vote – 1 March 2023
UK: Green group the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has applauded the “urgently needed” F-gas bans voted on today by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI). Read more…
Euro industry calls for “realistic” F-gas vote – 27 February 2023
EUROPE: Twelve leading associations and groups active in the European HVACR market have called on the European Parliament’s environment committee to reject amendments which would ban F-gases. Read more…
