Historic FAQs: UK exit, 2019 to 2020
These answers are kept for reference. They relate to the UK exit from the European Union and to deadlines that have now passed. The exchange certificate processes they describe are closed. For current guidance see the FAQs.
What are the consequences if my engineers fail to obtain EPA exchange certificates
There are effectively two main impacts:
1: Your engineers will not be allowed handle F Gas equipment and will be required to retrain and obtain new EU recognized certification.
2: Your company registration will be rescinded if your engineers do not have the necessary EU certification.
I cannot find a copy of my current F Gas UK registration. Can I register for an exchange certificate without the UK certificate.
Unfortunately the exchange Company registration process has now closed.
When will my current UK F Gas registration become invalid
Your current UK F Gas registration remains valid up to 23.00 hours on 31st December 2020 unless there is change in EU/UK agreements.
At all times your UK certificate expiry date must be a date later than 31st December 2020.
We hold a current UK F Gas registration certificate. What action must we take for the period after 31st January 2020.
During the transition period (up to 31st December 2020) of the UK exit from the EU a valid UK issued F Gas certificate will be recognized in the EU member states. For the year 2021 and all subsequent years you will be required to register with F gas registration as a new member unless there is any agreement to the contrary.
The process is detailed on the website and of major importance is the requirement that your engineers personal F gas certificates are valid in the EU and are not UK issued certificates.
EPA exchange certificates are considered as valid for registration.
When will F Gas registration issue exchange F Gas registration certificates
Unfortunately the F Gas company exchange registration process has now closed.
My Engineers have received a new EU 27 F-Gas Certificate from the EPA in replacement of their UK F Gas qualification. What do I do with these new personal EU 27 certificates ?
Due to Brexit the UK company F Gas Registration certificates and UK F Gas handling personal certificates will no longer be valid in the EU27 and must be replaced before 11.00pm on the 31st January 2020. This Date could change due to flex extension
All companies who wish to make a new application to F Gas registration or who hold a current F Gas Registration certificate based on UK personal certificates must now up load their engineers non UK personal certificates to the F Gas Registration data base.
Person certificates which are acceptable are those issued in any EU27 country which are valid at the time of registration and which are in the English language or are accompanied by an attested translation if the certificate is not in the English language.
Exchange certificates issued by the EPA are deemed as acceptable personal certificates.
How do I get a Brexit Exchange Certificate and what is the cost ?
From the 22nd July 2019 you can apply to F Gas Registration Ltd for an exchange Company certificate ( see web site for application details) in exchange for your UK F Gas Company Certificate. Your UK certificate must be valid up to 31st January 2020. An EU 27 F Gas Company Certificate will be issued to you free of charge and will have a validity up to 31st January 2020.
All applications for exchange certificates must be received by F Gas Registration Ltd before 11.00pm on the 31st of January 2020. After this date no exchange certificate applications can be accepted.
When UK leaves the European Union on 31st January 2020 will my company UK F-Gas certificate be valid in Ireland?
A stakeholders notice on the withdrawal of the UK and EU rules on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases was published by the EU Commission on the 19th December 2018. This sets forth the consequences of BREXIT which need to be considered by economic operators.
The notice, amongst other things, states that as of the withdrawal date, certificates and training attestations issued in the United Kingdom will NO longer be recognized for activities carried out in the EU-27 (which includes the Republic of Ireland) from 1st February 2020.
This will create issues for companies and undertakings who are registered in the UK with certification bodies such as Refcom and Quidos or any other.