The relaxation by the EU of the “return leak test” clause within the new F-gas regulations spells good news for refrigeration contractors who have been lobbying hard for its amendment.

“The principle of the regulation is a sound one and will ensure that end users of refrigeration plants maintain this equipment to a minimum standard,” said John Dye, managing director of IMA Cooling Systems. “We had a problem with the clause which enforced a return visit to leak- test a plant one month after a repair had been carried out. This was a direct additional cost to the end user and almost implied that the repair may not have been completed properly in the first place.”

The revision to the F-gas regulations now allows for a repair to be leak-tested prior to the engineer leaving the site, immediately following completion of the work. “Effectively, this is just good practice and the change now allows everyone to comply with new legislation without unnecessary additional cost,” said Dye.

“We are frequently amazed at the double standards which exist in our marketplace,” he continued. “The problems we find are in the field, where there are still many unqualified and inexperienced personnel working on high-tech equipment.

“F-Gas Day [July 4] will signal the beginning of the end for rogue operators, as minimum qualifications become mandatory for all personnel working on refrigeration contracts. End users will not meet the required standards unless they can show that their equipment has been serviced at the correct intervals by qualified personnel,” added Dye.