1. Key Dates
- From 1st January 2010 it has been illegal to use virgin HCFCs to service Refrigeration and Air Conditioning equipment.
- From 1st January 2015 it will be illegal to use recycled or reclaimed HCFCs to service RAC equipment.
2. Reclaimed Or Recycled?
Recycled HCFCs are recovered HCFC that has been subject only to a basic cleaning process (this might include mechanical filtering and moisture removal). Recycled HCFCs cannot be bought & sold, they can only be reused by the owner of the equipment form which it was extracted.
Reclaimed HCFCs are recovered HCFC gas that has been chemically reprocessed to a specified standard. Reclaimed HCFCs may be placed on the wider market and used by anyone.
3. Other Requirements
i. Leak testing and rectification
These new operator (or equipment end user) obligations are broadly similar to those of the EC F gas Regulation:
· to prevent and minimise any leakages and emissions of controlled substances.
· to carry out the new leak testing requirements as in the table below:
ii. Storage for recycling or reclamation
Before you recover HCFC refrigerant for recycling or reclamation you should consider the following points if the owner intends to store the materials on site:
· The holder should ensure that cylinders used to store recovered/recycled HCFCs remain within their statutory pressure test validation period.
· Recovered HCFCs pending recycling or reclamation are hazardous waste subject to the Hazardous Waste Regulations. Facilities storing recovered HCFCs must register with the Environment Agency as an exempt waste operation. Storage of recycled or reclaimed HCFCs does not require a permit.
iii. System record keeping
· Users of equipment containing over 3 kg of HCFC refrigerant must keep a record of the quantity and type of any gases removed or added, and of the company or technician carrying out the service or maintenance.
· Undertakings using recycled or reclaimed HCFCs for service or maintenance must keep records of the undertakings which supplied the reclaimed gases and the sources of recycled gases.
We ensure all our customers who are still using these gases have up to date records and are working within the legislation.