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according to the EPA you do have to be "certified" to by OZONE depleting refidgerants such as r11 r12 and r22 however as goes to the HFC refrigerants it is alot more vague. here is the artile from
http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/608/608fact.html
Technician Certification
EPA has established a technician certification program for persons ("technicians") who perform maintenance, service, repair, or disposal that could be reasonably expected to release refrigerants into the atmosphere. The definition of "technician" specifically includes and excludes certain activities as follows:
Included:
* attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from the appliance to measure pressure within the appliance;
* adding refrigerant to (for example "topping-off") or removing refrigerant from the appliance
* any other activity that violates the integrity of the MVAC-like appliances, and small appliances.
In addition, apprentices are exempt from certification requirements provided the apprentice is closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.
The Agency has developed four types of certification:
1. For servicing small appliances (Type I).
2. For servicing or disposing of high- or very high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and MVACs (Type II).
3. For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances (Type III).
4. For servicing all types of equipment (Universal).
Technicians are required to pass an EPA-approved test given by an EPA-approved certifying organization to become certified under the mandatory program. Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire.
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Refrigerant Sales Restrictions
The sale of ozone-depleting refrigerant (such as R-11, R-12, and R-22) in any size container has been restricted to technicians certified either under the program described in Technician Certification above or under EPA's motor vehicle air conditioning regulations. The sales restriction covers ozone-depleting refrigerant contained in bulk containers, such as cans, cylinders, or drums.
The restriction excludes refrigerant contained in refrigerators or air conditioners with fully assembled refrigerant circuits (such as household refrigerators, window air conditioners, and packaged air conditioners), and HFC refrigerants (such as R-134a and R-410A).
Under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act, sales of CFC-12 in containers smaller than 20 pounds are restricted solely to technicians certified under EPA's motor vehicle air-conditioning regulations (i.e., Section 609 certified technicians). Technicians certified under EPA's stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment (i.e., Section 608 certified technicians) may buy containers of CFC-12 larger than 20 pounds.
Section 609 technicians are only allowed to purchase refrigerants that are suitable for use in motor vehicle air-conditioners. Effective September 22, 2003, EPA has restricted the sale of ozone-depleting refrigerants, approved for use in stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, to Section 608 certified technicians. Therefore, the sale of ozone-depleting refrigerants (such as HCFC-22) that are approved for use in stationary equipment but not for use in motor vehicle air-conditioners is restricted to Section 608 certified technicians.
More detailed information is available in an EPA fact sheet titled "The Refrigerant Sales Restriction."
according to the EPA you do have to be "certified" to by OZONE depleting refidgerants such as r11 r12 and r22 however as goes to the HFC refrigerants it is alot more vague. here is the artile from
http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/608/608fact.html
Technician Certification
EPA has established a technician certification program for persons ("technicians") who perform maintenance, service, repair, or disposal that could be reasonably expected to release refrigerants into the atmosphere. The definition of "technician" specifically includes and excludes certain activities as follows:
Included:
* attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from the appliance to measure pressure within the appliance;
* adding refrigerant to (for example "topping-off") or removing refrigerant from the appliance
* any other activity that violates the integrity of the MVAC-like appliances, and small appliances.
In addition, apprentices are exempt from certification requirements provided the apprentice is closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.
The Agency has developed four types of certification:
1. For servicing small appliances (Type I).
2. For servicing or disposing of high- or very high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and MVACs (Type II).
3. For servicing or disposing of low-pressure appliances (Type III).
4. For servicing all types of equipment (Universal).
Technicians are required to pass an EPA-approved test given by an EPA-approved certifying organization to become certified under the mandatory program. Section 608 Technician Certification credentials do not expire.
Top of page
Refrigerant Sales Restrictions
The sale of ozone-depleting refrigerant (such as R-11, R-12, and R-22) in any size container has been restricted to technicians certified either under the program described in Technician Certification above or under EPA's motor vehicle air conditioning regulations. The sales restriction covers ozone-depleting refrigerant contained in bulk containers, such as cans, cylinders, or drums.
The restriction excludes refrigerant contained in refrigerators or air conditioners with fully assembled refrigerant circuits (such as household refrigerators, window air conditioners, and packaged air conditioners), and HFC refrigerants (such as R-134a and R-410A).
Under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act, sales of CFC-12 in containers smaller than 20 pounds are restricted solely to technicians certified under EPA's motor vehicle air-conditioning regulations (i.e., Section 609 certified technicians). Technicians certified under EPA's stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment (i.e., Section 608 certified technicians) may buy containers of CFC-12 larger than 20 pounds.
Section 609 technicians are only allowed to purchase refrigerants that are suitable for use in motor vehicle air-conditioners. Effective September 22, 2003, EPA has restricted the sale of ozone-depleting refrigerants, approved for use in stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, to Section 608 certified technicians. Therefore, the sale of ozone-depleting refrigerants (such as HCFC-22) that are approved for use in stationary equipment but not for use in motor vehicle air-conditioners is restricted to Section 608 certified technicians.
More detailed information is available in an EPA fact sheet titled "The Refrigerant Sales Restriction."
