MCCAA guidelines on F-gas handling and certification requirements

Marie Antoinette Ellul is a senior scientist at the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA)

F-gases are substances or mixtures that contain fluorine and exert a greenhouse effect. The objective of the F-gas regulation is to reduce the quantities of F-gases placed on the market. Processes related to F-gases such as leak checks and decommissioning of equipment are regulated to limit the unnecessary release of F-gases into the atmosphere. The regulation also establishes the requirement of certification programmes for personnel involved in the handling of F-gases.

The Technical Regulations Division (TRD) within the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) is the competent authority responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the F-Gas Regulation.

MCCAA would like to bring to the attention of any undertakings or economic operators who offer vehicle AC refilling of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases), that in line with the applicable regulation above-mentioned, the handling of F-gases requires a valid card issued by the TRD within the MCCAA.

If you are an operator who handles F-gases in the automotive sector but aren’t in possession of valid F-gas card, kindly contact MCCAA to be guided accordingly.

Locally, MCAST offers a part-time 15-hour programme, however recognised courses from other EU member states are also accepted.

The F-gas card issued by MCCAA is a requirement by law for anyone handling F-gases. Undertakings who purchase F-gas can only do so upon presentation of the F-gas card. The quantity of F-gas purchased along with the TRE or TRC number shown on the card should be recorded at the point of sale for traceability purposes.

The operator should keep records for equipment that contains 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent or more of fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Annex I or 1 kilogram or more of fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Section 1 of Annex II of Regulation 2024/573. The Regulation can be found by following here.

Hermetically sealed equipment shall not be checked for leaks provided that it is:

• correctly and clearly labelled as hermetically sealed equipment; and
• it contains less than 10 tonnes of CO2 equivalent of fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Annex I or it contains less than 2 kilograms of fluorinated greenhouse gases listed in Section 1 of Annex II.

The records to be kept include:

1. The quantities and type of gas contained in the equipment and separately the quantity added during installation and/or maintenance and servicing.
2. In case of leak checks, records should be kept of the quantity of gas added if applicable and the date when the work was carried out. The quantity of gas recovered, and whether this was recycled or reclaimed should also be recorded.
3. In cases where the equipment was decommissioned, the measures taken to recover and dispose of gases should be recorded.

In all cases, the records should also include clear identification and F-gas card number of the undertaking who installed, serviced, maintained, recovered, checked for leaks or decommissioned an equipment.

These records should be kept for five years and must be made available to the competent authority upon request.

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact MCCAA on 2395 2000 or send an email on: info.fgases@mccaa.org.mt