The certification is mandatory for firms performing installation, repair, maintenance, gas recovery and leak detection in the following types of plant and equipment containing fgas:
- fixed refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems (Reg. (EC) No 303/2008)
- fixed fire protection systems and fire extinguishers (Reg. (EC) No 304/2008)
- recovery of fluorinated gas from high voltage control cabinets (switches) (Reg. (EC) No 305/2008)
- recovery of fluorinated gas solvents from solvent-containing equipment (Reg. (EC) No 306/2008).
The certificate is issued to firms employing certified staff in sufficient numbers to cover the volume of activity envisaged and having the facilities, equipment, tools, and procedures required to carry out the activity.
Regulatory focus
The service is governed by the following rules:
- EC Regulation No. 842/2006 - Regulation on the FGAS, repealed by EC Regulation No. 517/2014
- Italian Presidential Decree No. 43 of 27 January 2012 which incorporates the provisions of the EC Regulation for Member States to introduce a system of certification of personnel and companies involved in the use of fluorinated gases.
Service details
In order to reduce fluorinated gas emissions and to meet the EU’s climate change objectives in fulfilment of its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No. 842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (repealed and replaced by Regulation (EC) No. 517/2014). This Regulation lays down specific requirements for the various phases of the entire life cycle of fluorinated gases, from production up to the end of life.
Why RINA?
RINA has been designated by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of the Territory and Sea as a Certification and Evaluation Body for certification of personnel and business in the following areas:
- installation, maintenance, or repair of fixed refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pumps containing certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (Article 8 of Presidential Decree No. 43/2012), carried out in accordance with Article 2 of the Regulation (EC) No. 303/2008
- installation, maintenance, or repair of fixed fire protection systems and extinguishers containing certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (Article 8 of Presidential Decree No. 43/2012) carried out pursuant to Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No. 304/2008
- collection and recycling of certain fluorinated greenhouse gases from high voltage switches (article 8 of Presidential Decree No. 43/2012) carried out pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 305/2008
- collection and recycling of solvents based on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases from the equipment containing them (Article 8 of Presidential Decree No. 43/2012) carried out pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 306/2008.
