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CFC Section 608 Changes 2018 – All you need to know!

CFC Section 608 Changes 2018 This article is for those who already have a CFC Universal Certificate. It addresses the changes the EPA started implementing on January 1, 2018. The changes affect owners/operators working with the refrigerants. The examination content is going to change as well. On January 1, 2018, new regulations impacting the way refrigerants are handled and sold went into effect. The examination content requirements will go into effect on January 1, 2019. The EPA emphasizes owner/operator/ technician ’s responsibility of keeping up with all EPA CFC Section 608 Changes 2018 rules and regulations including updates.  January 1, 2018 Here are some highlights of important changes:
  1. HFC and HFO refrigerants are now included in the sales restriction. 
  2. These refrigerants may only be sold to technicians certified under Sections 608 and 609 of the Federal Clean Air Act.
  3. Wholesalers and others who re-sell refrigerants must maintain invoices that indicate: purchaser name, sale date, and the quantity of CFC, HCFC, HFC and HFO refrigerants purchased. 
  4. There is a new time requirement for keeping these records.
  5. Employers must require proof of certification for technicians and must maintain a copy of their certification at their place of business for a specified time after a certified individual leaves the employer.
Highlights of the changes regarding Record Keeping:
  1. New recordkeeping requirements for appliances containing 5 to 50 pounds of refrigerant become effective.
  2. Technicians must keep records of; the location, date of recovery, and type of refrigerant recovered for each disposed appliance, the quantity of refrigerant by type recovered from disposed appliances in each calendar month. In addition, the quantity of refrigerant, and type, transferred for reclamation or destruction, the person to whom it was transferred, and the date of the transfer.
  3. All requirements for the maintenance, service, repair, and disposal of CFC and HCFC are extended to HFC and HFO refrigerants.
The EPA requires new wording on certificates:
  1. Going forward after January 1st, 2018, the EPA requires new wording on certification cards. Any new and replacement certification cards will have a new look. 
  2. The wording on new certification cards includes: “[Name of person] has successfully passed a [Type I, Type II, Type III, and/or Universal, as appropriate] exam on how to responsibly handle refrigerants as required by EPA’s National Recycling and Emission Reduction Program.”
  3. Cards issued prior to the implemented changes remain valid.
  4. Additionally, the EPA requires that Section 608 Certification holders be included in a public online directory to simplify locating their certification records.
The AirCon Academy offers very comprehensive information regarding the upcoming changes in CFC Section 608 in a concise 35-minute video presented by the ESCO Group approved proctor with 30 years of teaching experience. The link is here https://www.www.airconacademy.com/course/cfc-section-608-changes-2018/for video One can watch the CFC Section 608 Changes 2018 video on any digital device individually or organize lunch and learn session for employees/coworkers. A live webinar can be offered for larger groups of interested individuals on request. Please inquire at aca@www.airconacademy.com  For a complete video click here