Anyone who works with fluorinated gases in stationary air conditioning and/or refrigeration will need to have a recognised qualification by 4 July 2011.

At the moment the only certification specifically for automotive refrigeration is the City & Guilds 5101 Scheme. ConstructionSkills will be offering an equivalent course at a later date.

These are recognised as being valid until 4 July 2011.  

Both assessment processes are recognised by the UK Government and the European Union as being equal and meeting the required standard.

The main difference in the assessment process is that the theory assessment for ConstructionSkills is by way of a written multiple choice question paper, whereas the City & Guilds assessment process is undertaken by computer with questions being selected at random. The requirements of the practical assessments are the same.

No, but during the F-Gas Course delegates are required to show they can braze a leak proof joint so it is recommended that those delegates who are not competent in brazing attend a brazing course on the 2 days preceding the F-Gas course .

The ConstructionSkills J11/J12/J13/J14 Schemes are valid for 5 years, after which a renewal course is offered for delegates to update their skills. The City & Guilds Certification is valid until C&G introduce the next level.

Company certification is a legal requirement under Sections 23 and 24 of the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (FGG) Regulations 2009 for businesses that install, maintain or service stationary refrigeration, air-conditioning and/or heat pump equipment containing F gases. It is a requirement that companies obtain a certificate by 4 July 2010.