GEA Helps Garages “Keep Cool” About New Car Air-Con Regulations

The Garage Equipment Association (GEA) is part of a working group in consultation with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regarding the new EC Regulation No 842/2006 on Certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-Gases), and has produced an eight page guide to help those in the vehicle servicing industry understand what this regulation means to them.

The principle objective of the F-Gas Regulation is to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of F-gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol. Key obligations in the Regulation apply in the UK and the rest of the EU with effect from 4 July 2007.

F-Gases are hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) and their main application in the motor industry is the use of F-Gas 134a as the refrigerant in vehicle climate control and air conditioning systems. As such the July 4 phase-in of the above-mentioned obligations impacts the vehicle service industry.

A main point of difference for garages and fast fit operators is that only persons with appropriate qualifications will be permitted to recover F-Gases from a vehicle. Those businesses wishing to continue offering their customers an air-conditioning re-gassing service – a lucrative add-on service for fast fit branches – must therefore ensure that their staff are suitable qualified to undertake the job. The European Commission is currently deciding upon a standard minimum qualification to be implemented in July 2008, however in the interim transition period staff handling F-Gases must still have met certain criteria. These are outlined in the guide produced by the GEA.

“The eight page document provides good advice to garages and explains all that’s required in order to meet the Regulation,” said GEA chief executive, Dave Garratt. A copy of the Guide can be downloaded from Library section of the GEA’s website: www.gea.co.uk.