Risks of being non-compliant on F-Gas

Organisations that fail to maintain records or keep them updated are exposed to legal action. F-Gas regulators define the strict guidelines on keeping records and having access to a logbook. That way staff who are on-site can review all operations that are affecting F-Gas plants. Many equipment owners have a service level agreement with an F-Gas registered firm. Hence, they believe they’re covered in terms of F-Gas compliance. However, this isn’t always the case. Many clients who are accountable to meet F-Gas compliance are at risk due to data loss or insufficient records. 

Be prepared for penalties

The purpose of issuing penalties is to deter enterprises from breaking the law. Local government and authorities are entitled to apply fines up to £200k for non-compliance behaviour from firms. Depending on the type of offense, there are different levels of fines that companies can face:

  • The maximum penalty applied for intentionally releasing F-Gases into the atmosphere
  • A fine of £200,000 is given when F-Gas quota limits are violated especially when placing HFCs on the market
  • Failure to comply with correct procedures and regulations to reduce emissions and leakages can lead to a fine of up to £100,000
  • Failure to recover F-Gases at the end of a plant’s life can incur a fine of £100,000
  • Incorrect labels on equipment, incomplete records, and false declarations on products containing F-Gases will lead to a penalty of £50,000
  • Minor breaches such as failing to report on F-Gas production within set timescales incurs a fine of £10,000

How to make sure you’re F-Gas compliant

The minimum that companies should do is get certified by an accredited body such as REFCOM. Moreover, they should ensure that their supplier who source HVAC, Pump, refrigeration, and air conditioners are also certified. 

Fully qualified F-Gas Engineers must document movements of refrigerant systems carrying 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent of F-Gas in an official register. The logbook should also include information on legal tests to check for leakages and any leakage repairs. It is also important to note the movements of refrigerants in and out of the plant.

Organisations are required to keep full records of F-Gas related activity for a minimum of 5 years. Having a track record of the work will allow inspecting authorities to examine the current and historical work completed. This is required for the authorities to make sure compliance is being met.

Our Gas Engineer Software can ensure your business is compliant by keeping track of paperwork and managing equipment with reduced risk. With Protean’s Equipment Register, you can have full control over the workforces’ equipment throughout its lifecycle. 

Don’t expose yourself to a penalty because of incomplete records. At Protean, we can prepare you for the F-Gas compliance process. Contact us and discover how our products can support your business.