1 Universal Certification Core Concepts

Ozone and climate impacts

The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs much of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Certain refrigerants, especially chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), can reach the stratosphere, where ultraviolet light breaks them down and releases chlorine atoms. Those atoms destroy ozone through chemical reactions.

CFCs generally have high ODP. HCFCs have lower, but nonzero, ODP. Ozone depletion and climate change are different environmental problems: GWP compares a gas’s heat-trapping effect with that of carbon dioxide over a specified period.

Some replacements for CFCs and HCFCs have zero ODP but still have high GWP. Therefore, not depleting ozone does not mean a refrigerant has no climate impact. Preventing refrigerant leaks helps limit both direct emissions and environmental harm.

Section 608 rules and certification

Section 608 of the Clean Air Act establishes the refrigerant-management program for stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. In general, a technician must hold the appropriate EPA Section 608 certification for work that could reasonably be expected to release refrigerant. Examples include attaching gauges, adding or removing refrigerant, and opening a refrigerant circuit.

The venting prohibition generally bars knowingly releasing ozone-depleting refrigerants and covered substitutes during service, repair, maintenance, or disposal. Use recovery equipment rather than intentionally venting refrigerant.

Section 608 applies to stationary equipment. Motor-vehicle air conditioners are generally addressed under Section 609. Limited regulatory exceptions exist, so the rules for the specific task and appliance should be checked. Certification credentials do not expire, but technicians must retain the required proof of certification at their place of business.

Certification types and equipment

The equipment covered by a certification type determines the work scope:

• Type I: Small appliances that are factory-made, charged, hermetically sealed, and contain five pounds or less of refrigerant.

• Type II: High- or very-high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and motor-vehicle air conditioners.

• Type III: Low-pressure appliances.

• Universal certification: All equipment covered by Types I, II, and III.

These types identify equipment categories; they do not change the general requirement to hold the appropriate certification for work that could reasonably be expected to release refrigerant.

Recover, recycle, and reclaim

Recover, recycle, and reclaim describe different levels of refrigerant handling.

• Recover: Remove refrigerant from an appliance and store it in an external container. The refrigerant need not be cleaned or tested.

• Recycle: Clean recovered refrigerant, typically by removing oil and filtering contaminants, so it can generally be reused in equipment belonging to the same owner. Recycling does not establish that the refrigerant meets reclamation specifications.

• Reclaim: Reprocess refrigerant to applicable purity specifications and verify it using the required analytical methods. Recovered refrigerant generally must be reclaimed by an EPA-certified reclaimer before it can be sold for reuse.

For example, removing refrigerant from a customer’s system and storing it in a recovery cylinder is recovery. Filtering it for reuse in that customer’s equipment is recycling. Processing and verifying it to the required specifications by a certified reclaimer is reclamation.

Safe refrigerant handling

Treat every refrigerant and cylinder as a potential hazard. Follow the refrigerant manufacturer’s safety data, equipment instructions, and applicable regulations.

• Work in a well-ventilated area. Escaping refrigerant can displace oxygen, especially in confined or low-lying spaces.

• Protect eyes and skin from liquid refrigerant, which can cause frostbite. Use suitable eye protection and gloves.

• Keep refrigerant away from flames and hot surfaces. Heating refrigerant can produce hazardous decomposition products, and some refrigerants are also flammable.

• Use equipment and cylinders compatible with the refrigerant and designed for the pressure involved. Never mix refrigerants in a cylinder.

• Do not overfill cylinders. Leave room for liquid expansion as temperature rises, and follow the cylinder’s marked limits and applicable filling procedures.

• Secure cylinders, protect them from heat and physical damage, and use proper labels and transport practices.

Pressure, toxicity, flammability, and compatibility vary by refrigerant. Identify the refrigerant before connecting equipment; do not assume two refrigerants can be handled identically.

Certification exam format

EPA-approved certifying organizations administer Section 608 certification tests. A Type I, Type II, or Type III test generally has 25 Core questions plus 25 questions for that type. A Universal test has 100 questions: 25 Core questions and 25 questions for each of the three equipment types.

The Core portion covers environmental effects, laws and regulations, and related refrigerant-management concepts. Type-specific portions cover topics such as recovery, leak detection, safety, shipping, and disposal. Closed-book certification tests are proctored, and the passing score is 70 percent. An open-book Core test cannot be used to earn Universal certification.