Page 46 - Climate Control News magazine February 2023

Refrigerants
Green scheme sets industry benchmark
THE NATIONAL GREEN Scheme Accreditation program is continuing to assist the industry in transitioning to low GWP refrigerants and a zero emis- sions future.
Run by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC), Green Scheme is becom- ing the benchmark for industry and technicians, while being formally recog- nised by various state governments as a means of demonstrating competence in the low GWP refrigerant space.
ARC CEO, Glenn Evans, said demand for accreditation to use low GWP refrig- erants was increasing, and this was criti- cal in supporting the adoption of new technologies.
“Industry has driven the need for Green Scheme with forward-thinking technicians and businesses lining up to qualify for Green Scheme accreditation,” he said.
“Apprentices are now making it part of their qualifications and skillset as they begin their careers, thanks to the scholarships provided by the Kirby Apprentice Fund.
“Kirby supports apprentices in under- taking CO2 training courses run at the Sydney Beijer Ref Academy in collabora- tion with Superior Training Centre (STC).
“The Beijer Ref Academy and STC offer accredited courses for their air con- ditioning and refrigeration technicians
at any stage of their careers to upskill in CO2 refrigeration systems to comply with current safety legislation.”
According to Evans, an important benefit was that government OH&S departments in some states now accepted Green Scheme Accreditation as a way to demonstrate OH&S competence.
“Achieving government OH&S recog- nition is all part of ARC helping techni- cians and businesses transition to a low GWP climate control industry, and ultimately, a zero emissions future,” Evans continued.
“ARC Green Scheme Accreditation provides a pathway for RAC technicians to upskill, and facilitates the use of new and emerging refrigerants and technolo- gies into the industry.
“It is the only national accreditation available for technicians to demonstrate they are qualified to work with hydro- carbons, CO2 (R744) and ammonia.
“It is AQF qualifications-based and not only focuses on safety, but also pro- vides industry and consumers with confidence that the industry-standard of high skills and professionalism will not be challenged.”
For technicians seeking CO2 training, STC and Beijer Ref Academy have pub- lished their course dates for 2023, simply go to the academy web site.
Technicians on the job.
EU members to vote on F-Gas Review
European Commission is set to vote on the F-Gas phase down.
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION is expected to vote on the latest F-Gas Review proposals in April, 2023.
The Commission has proposed an acceler- ated F-Gas phase down which has support from a number of EU member states.
However, industry claims the revised phase down is unrealistic.
The phase down seeks to restrict new split system air conditioners and heat pumps of up to 12kW to HFCs with GWPs of less than 150 from January 1, 2027.
This would limit new products to a near zero GWP refrigerant, such as hydrocarbons, CO2 or HFOs. In addition, from the same date, new systems over 12kW would be restricted to refrig- erants with a GWP of 750 or less.
At the same time five EU member states – Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark – are seeking to ban per-and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which would include a high number of F-Gases.
The European FluoroCarbons Technical Committee (EFCTC) is strongly opposed to this ban.
The EFCTC has commissioned the consulting company Ricardo to undertake an independent socio-economic analysis (SEA) of the contribu- tion of certain F-Gases to the economy and the wider society.
The report will be used during consulta- tion with the European Commission and to show how the bans will impact the wider economy.
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
46