New restrictions on R134a sales

An amendment to the F-Gas regulations could see a change in the way motor factors sell R134a refrigerant for air conditioning systems.

According to MotorClimate UK, new rules brought in at the start of 2015 has put responsibility of checking that the sale of pre-charged R134a cylinder is made to a person that has the correct F-Gas automotive qualification. In the original 2006 regulation, legal responsibility was with the buyer only, however the amended version (517/2014) pushes the need for sellers to check too. It will mean that Motor Factors have to change the way they operate, and keep R134a sales records and qualifications records if they wish to carry on selling air conditioning gas R134a.

Since July 2010, legislation has started that it is illegal to recover and charge refrigerant in any motor vehicle A/C system, unless a person possesses the relevant qualification. Failure to do so has left non-compliant workshops liable to prosecution.

The tightening of the legislation affects re-sellers further as the EU & DEFRA plans to implement an inspection process (which could take place at any time) where Motor factors will be required to produce ‘sales records’ of transactions involving the sale of R134a refrigerant to workshops (MAC operators) from the last five years.

Sales of refrigerant R1234YF are not affected by the new rules.

Tags: R134a, air conditioning system, refrigerant, MotorClimate, cars

Thursday, 19 February 2015 08:14

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