WORKING INTERPRETATION OF EC REGULATION 2037/2000 ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER

This document sets out a working interpretation of EC Regulation EC2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer:

1. No new systems will be supplied containing HCFC refrigerants (unless manufactured before the end of 2000).

2. No new installations will be carried out using HCFC refrigerants.

3. Refurbishment or upgrade of existing installations or systems currently using HCFC refrigerants may be carried out, providing that the revised system design does not result in an increase in refrigerant charge. All measures must be taken to prevent or minimize leakage.

3.(a) Refurbishment or upgrade may include the replacement of compressors, condensers, display cases, cold store coolers and/or pipe-work with more modern equipment/installation methods.
3.(b) Refurbishment or upgrade of existing installations or systems currently using HCFC refrigerants which will result in an increase in the refrigerant charge are forbidden by this regulation.

4. In the event of a requirement to extend an existing system/installation there are two routes to conformance with the regulation:

4.(a) Convert the existing system to a non-ODP refrigerant.

4.(b) Install the additional equipment as a separate system on a non-ODP refrigerant and leave the existing system on HCFC refrigerant.

EXCEPTIONS TO THESE RULES ARE:

5.(a) New fixed air-conditioning equipment with a cooling capacity of less than 100kW, where the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons is only prohibited in equipment produced after 30 June 2002

5.(b) New reversible air-conditioning/heat pump systems, where the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons is only prohibited in equipment produced after December 2003.

6. All ODS used in RAC equipment must be recovered during any servicing or maintenance activities and any dismantling/decommissioning activities. The recovered refrigerant can be destroyed or reclaimed and reused until 2015.

7. Any fixed equipment with a system charge greater than 3 kg must be leak checked annually.

8. Personnel who maintain or service RAC equipment containing ODS refrigerant now require a minimum level of qualification/competence in safe handling of refrigerants and this will be mandatory from 9th April 2007.

Note that supply of HCFC refrigerants will be progressively restricted leading to a ban on the use of virgin refrigerants in 2010 and a ban on the use of all HCFCs including recycled materials from 1st January 2015.

The CS GROUP™ of companies has been created to take into account the salient points above and the specialist requirement for co-ordinated management control over the whole internal environment, including temperature control - not only HVAC.  Our specialist divisions include our CSgroupmechanical™ which has the building skills to implement many of the updates that are required for complete temperature control.

As an air conditioning company CS GROUP™ are always mindful of sustainable practices in the air temperature control industry (HVAC), with a need to reduce energy requirements and the control, use and disposal of coolants.