ODS Competencies in the UK

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The ODS Regulations came out originally in response to the Montr?al Protocol in 1994. They were replaced in 2000 by 2037/2000.

The need to formally demonstrate competence in handling ODS is clearly laid out in the regulation and in the UK this is usually demonstrated by G&G 2078 or the CITB assessment. Most people already have it, but it?s not mandatory?.. yet.

Incredibly, today I?ve received notification from DEFRA's Global Atmosphere Division that, in response to a threat of infraction proceedings where the UK Govt is liable to substantial daily fines for not implementing the requirements of the EU Regulation, they are rushing out a UK regulation, consultation document, a regulatory impact assessment and a draft UK SI that will make it mandatory for all handlers of ODS to have achieved either of those competencies to use HCFCs CFCs and other substances, like Bromides and Halons.

Most of these are obsolete now, but there is still a fair amount of R22 in circulation.

Target date is June 2006. Only 10 years late! Up to now they were prepared to do nothing.

As a bonus, they say that the same qualification will apply for HFCs too, when the F Gas regulations come in a year or two from now!

So, for a while, the engineer working on R22 will need a certificate of competency, but not if he does the same job with R410A?..


This will definitely affect UK workers using refrigerants.

You can read all about it here.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/co...ting/index.htm


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marijuana sativa

Thanks for that, don't you just love politicians ?

I don't understand this government. One department bends over backwards to implement EU directives, even "gold-plating" them. Then another sits on its bum and does nothing until the threat of fines is waved in their face.

The only common thread through both these is the fact that they seem to be be asleep at the wheel when matters start to be discussed and they end up chasing their tails when it suddenly dawns on them that this is for real. And then that leads to us chasing our tails at the same time as running around after short-sighted customers wanting jobs done yesterday....rant...rant....


Steve