Qualifications to work with F gas
The qualifications you need to work with fluorinated gas (F gas) and the organisations that offer them.
You must have your own qualifications to work on equipment containing F gas, even if you work for someone else.
It is against the law to work with F gas if you do not have the correct qualifications. You could receive a civil penalty for breaking the law. See the Environment Agency enforcement sanctions policy.
If you see someone working with F gas that doesn’t have the right qualifications, report it to f-gassupport@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) systems qualifications
For RACHP systems you must have qualifications to:
- install new systems
- service and maintain systems
- check for leaks
- recover gases
- decommission and dispose of old systems
- work on refrigerated trucks over 3.5 tonnes
- work on refrigerated trailers made to be towed by trucks or trailers
You need a:
- category 1 certificate to carry out all activities
- category 2 certificate to install, maintain, service and recover refrigerant from systems containing less than 3kg of F gas, or less than 6kg of F gas if hermetically sealed
- category 3 certificate to recover refrigerant from systems that contain less than 3kg of F gas, or less than 6kg of F gas if hermetically sealed
- category 4 certificate to check equipment for leaks if you do not break into the refrigeration circuit
You must have a qualification as an individual from one of these accredited organisations (or an equivalent qualification that a European Union (EU) member state recognises):
1 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 9DD
Telephone: 0844 543 0033
Email: centresupport@cityandguilds.com
Company number: 05200334
Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)
Lincoln House
137-143 Hammersmith Road
London
W14 0QL
Telephone: 020 7313 4900
Email: enquiries@thebesa.com
Company number: 09796322
Unit 1 Belvue Business Park
Belvue Road
Northolt
Middlesex
UB5 5QQ
Telephone: 020 8839 2439
Email: enquiries@lclawards.co.uk
Company number: 04615993
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) are no longer issuing new F gas qualifications or certification.
Stationary fire protection systems qualifications
To work on a fire protection system that contains F gas equivalent to 3kg or more you must have:
- a Fire Industry Association (FIA) F gas certificate for individuals
- an equivalent qualification that an EU member state recognises
Tudor House
Kingsway Business Park
Oldfield Road
Hampton
Middlesex
TW12 2HD
Telephone: 020 3166 5002
Email: info@fia.uk.com
Company number: 05989140
Mobile air conditioning systems qualifications
You must have a qualification to recover refrigerant from mobile air conditioning systems in:
- goods vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes
- passenger vehicles with 8 seats or fewer
You must have a relevant qualification from one of these organisations (or an equivalent qualification that an EU member state recognises):
1 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 9DD
Telephone: 020 7294 2800
Email: automotive@cityandguilds.com
Company number: 05200334
Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)
Fanshaws
Brickendon
Hertford
SG13 8PQ
Telephone: 01992 511521
Email: imiawarding@theimi.org.uk
IMI company number: 00225180
IMI Awards Limited company number: 06237350
Skills and Education Group Awards
Robins Wood House
Robins Wood Road
Nottingham
NG8 3NH
Telephone: 01158 541620
Email: customersupport@skillsedugroup.co.uk
Company number: 04117784
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) are no longer issuing new F gas qualifications or certification.
Electrical switchgear qualifications
You must have a qualification to carry out work on electrical switchgear that contains sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). This includes:
- installing new systems
- carrying out maintenance
- recovering SF6
- decommissioning and disposing of old systems
You must have a relevant qualification from one of these organisations (or an equivalent qualification that an EU member state recognises):
National Grid Electricity Distribution plc
Avonbank
Feeder Road
Bristol
BS2 0TB
Telephone: 0800 096 3080
Email: nged.engineeringpolicy@nationalgrid.co.uk
South Wales company number: 02366985
South West company number: 02366894
West Midlands company number: 03600574
East Midlands company number: 02366923
Northern Ireland Electricity plc
PO Box 2
120 Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 5HT
Telephone: 028 90 66 11 00
Email: leonard.taggart@nie.co.uk
Company number: NI026041
Capenhurst Technology Park
Capenhurst
Chester
CH1 6ES
Telephone: 0151 339 4181
Email: sales@eatechnology.com
Company number: 02566313
Eagle Works
Walton Well Road
Oxford, UK
OX2 6EE
Telephone: 01865 311411
Email: info@wlucy.com
Company number: 01179461
National Grid Electricity Transmission plc
1-3 Strand
London
WC2N 5EH
Telephone: 01623 872611
Email: daniel.tingle@nationalgrid.com
Company number: 02366977
Recovering solvents qualifications
To recover solvents containing F gas from equipment, you must have a qualification from Fraser Technologies (or an equivalent qualification that an EU member state recognises):
24 Grange Road
Houstoun Industrial Estate
Livingston
Scotland
EH54 5DE
Telephone: 01506 443 058
Email: techsupport@frasertech.co.uk
Company number: SC231307
You can recover solvents for up to a year before you qualify if you:
- work under supervision of a qualified person
- are on the Fraser Technology training course or an equivalent course in an EU member state
Other equipment qualifications
If you’re servicing equipment not covered by specific qualifications, you must have appropriate training and qualifications to cover handling F gases.
Working with F gas in the EU
If you have a UK F gas certificate as a company or individual, it will not be valid for work in the EU.
To work on equipment containing F gas in the EU, you’ll need to get a recognised qualification and certification where relevant from one of the EU member states.
Updates to this page
Last updated 3 February 2023 + show all updates
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Updated the address for LCL Awards
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Updated information on refrigeration, and air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) systems. Updated F gas weights from tonnes CO2 equivalent to kilograms. Updated contact information for Skills and Education Group Awards (formerly ABC Awards).
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Updated company name and contact details for National Grid Electricity Distribution plc.
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Removed Siemens Plc contact information as they no longer provide electrical switchgear qualifications.
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UK F gas qualifications or certifications no longer valid as 30 June 2021 deadline has passed.
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Removed information about applying to the Irish Environmental Protection Agency for an equivalent F gas certificate as the deadline for applications has passed.
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Updated the section 'Working in the EU' to include the details to apply for an equivalent certificate from the Irish Environmental Protection Agency.
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Updated Western Powers contact details
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Updated with note that the EU does not recognise qualifications from Great Britain.
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Updated list of qualifications and organisations.
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We have added the addresses and contact details for accredited bodies offering qualifications to work with F gas.
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Updated to show revised list of accredited organisations who offer F gas qualifications
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Changed the qualification you must hold from Construction Industry Training Board Refrigeration certificate to Building Engineering Services Association accredited courses relating to F Gas regulation.
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First published.