Clamping down on F-gas

28-07-2010

The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB) has called for greater policing and enforcement of the F-gas regulations. The call follows a UK survey that showed the single most significant barrier to effectiveness of the Regulation is the lack of visible enforcement, policing and mechanisms to guarantee compliance or report non-compliance.

"The consensus of industry, many elements of which have made considerable investment in compliance, is that containment works but improved enforcement is necessary to fully achieve the emissions reductions possible under the Regulation," said Mike Nankivell, chairman of the ACRIB F Gas Implementation Group.

An ACRIB position paper makes seven key recommendations including calling for the mandatory registration for individuals and public databases of members of company certification schemes and placing the onus on the refrigerant or equipment supplier to only sell to certified persons.

ACRIB Chairman David Bostock, said: "We can see in the many positive steps taken by supermarket groups and retailers to comply with the Regulation that there has been a definite reduction in emissions from these sectors. We now need increased Government support in raising awareness of leakage issues and ensuring compliance across all industry sectors."