Institute of Refrigeration Ireland

This is an important notice from the EPA for individuals and companies certified by UK bodies to operate with Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-Gas).

As a result of Brexit, F-gas training certificates and attestations issued by UK designated certification bodies, such as City and Guilds, are no longer recognised in EU Member States since 11 p.m. on31st December 2020.

In order to address this Brexit implication, a programme was established under Irish legislation which provides for holders of UK certified F-gas certificates and attestations, to obtain a new Irish certificate/attestation from the Environmental Protection Agency. These Irish F-Gas certifications/attestations will be recognised in Ireland and other EU Member States.

This programme has now been extended. This extension allows for:

* continued recognition of UK personal training certificates/attestations in Ireland until 11 p.m. on 30th June 2021, provided the UK certificates/attestations were issued prior to 11 p.m. on 31st December 2020.
* the opportunity to apply to the EPA for an Irish personal training certificate or attestation in respect of the same activity awarded by a UK certification body provided that
* the UK certificate/attestation was issued before 11 p.m. on 31st December 2020; and,
* applications to the EPA are submitted before 11 p.m. on 30th April 2021. The application process is described below. There is no cost and it does not involve re-training.

Please be aware that if a person only holds a UK certified F-Gas training certificate or attestation after 30th June 2021, it will be an offence for this person to engage in an act in Ireland which requires certification or attestation under the F-Gas Regulations. To continue to carry out such work within the EU, a new certification from a certification body within the EU-27, such as the Irish certification body QQI, will be required. This may involve undertaking further training and the payment of associated fees.

Full details can be found here