The risk of buying illegal refrigerants

With a growing occurrence of refrigerants being listed for sale online, it’s important to understand the importance of buying from safe sources – and the dangers associated with purchasing from illegal sellers

There are hefty fines and risks to health and safety for installers and users when working with illegally-purchased refrigerants.

Health and safety impact: Refrigerants fall under ‘dangerous substances’ and need to be handled with care, even more so with the increased use of flammable and high-pressure gases. Refrigerants that do not comply with the gas producers’ specifications or with the content indicated on the cylinders can pose a serious risk for the health and safety of installers and users.

Financial impact: High fines or even criminal prosecution can be involved with the illegal sale of refrigerants.

Operational impact: Refrigerants that do not comply with specifications (impurities, contamination with oil and other substances, etc.) can lead to bad performance of equipment, leading to loss of capacity, reduced energy efficiency, higher operational cost, equipment failures and more.

Business impact: In turn, this can lead to the deterioration of relationships with customers and reputational damage as a result of equipment issues.

Environmental impact: Risks such as refrigerant leakage into the atmosphere increase even further with the use of inadequate cylinders.

Unfortunately, despite the risks, refrigerants have been appearing online.

“The importation of the refrigerant R404a into New Zealand is controlled via the ETS scheme and carbon taxes are applied at the point of sale. All quantities are recorded and monitored through recognised wholesalers and via the ETS scheme. Selling the products outside of regulated arrangements contravenes the regulations above and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and additionally undermines everything this industry works so hard to achieve including the reduction of our national carbon footprint,” says Chris Arvidson, IRHACE Council member.

“I believe our industry takes its responsibility for refrigerants and the damage they do to the atmosphere very seriously and we have, over the last few years, developed training modules with input from Worksafe to provide compliance with New Zealand regulations and legislation.

“We are substantially disheartened when we see individuals blatantly offering these products at substantially reduced prices, indicating that they are not paying carbon taxes in line with the ETS requirements, and offering them to the general public who do not have the training, knowledge or equipment necessary to handle them safely.”

How can you identify illegal refrigerants?

Under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, anybody handling or recovering compressed gases must have had suitable training and hold an Approved Filler Test Certificate. Most refrigerants currently used in New Zealand are classified as compressed gases under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017. Some refrigerants currently used in New Zealand such as propane and butane are flammable and hazardous substances under the HSNO Act. Therefore, nearly all users of refrigerants are required by legislation to hold an Approved Filler Test Certificate.

How do I get an Approved Filler Test Certificate?

RLNZ provides an Approved Filler courses for both A1 and A2/A2L refrigerants which is required by the HSNO 2004 Compressed Gas Regulations and is the minimum legal obligation for anyone working with refrigerant. You can obtain a new license or renew your existing license by learning current information for A1 and A2/A2L refrigerants and passing a practical assessment using current materials and fit for purpose technology. Learn more here rlnz.org.nz/w/rl/courses/cat-43-approved-filler

Always purchase refrigerants from reputable suppliers

RLNZ recommends only purchasing refrigerants from reputable suppliers such as:

• Refspecs

• Actrol

• Cooling Supplies

• Patton

• Realcold

• Daikin

• A-Gas