Fluorinated greenhouse gases; application for a certificate of competence

The Chambers of Industry and Commerce and Chambers of Crafts certify the expertise for work on systems with fluorinated greenhouse gases such as refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

To work on stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems, heat pumps or refrigeration systems in refrigerated trucks or trailers, on air conditioning systems in motor vehicles or other mobile refrigeration and air conditioning systems, you must provide a certificate of competence.

To obtain the certificate of competence, you normally complete a training course followed by a competence test. The examination is offered both by state-recognized, private providers and by public bodies such as chambers of industry and commerce (IHK) or chambers of crafts (HWK).

To be admitted to the examination, you must provide proof that you have completed technical or trade training. The IHK or HWK can exempt you from this requirement if you can prove that you have acquired the required technical skills elsewhere.

If you have successfully completed training as a refrigeration and air conditioning technician or refrigeration and air conditioning fitter, the IHK will certify your expertise on presentation of your examination certificate. For motor vehicle mechatronics technicians and other apprenticeships in the motor vehicle sector, the IHK can issue you with a certificate for work on vehicle air conditioning systems.

The Chamber of Industry and Commerce or Chamber of Crafts can also recognize the equivalence of foreign certificates of competence, provided they meet the technical requirements in Germany.

• The following documents are required:
  • Copy of the identity card
  • Additionally, for exemption from the requirement:
    • Proof of qualifying professional activities, if applicable confirmation of the employer about these activities.
    • Possibly further documents, please ask for more details at the office where you want to apply for the exemption.
  • Additional for certificate with completed training
    • Copy of the diploma
  • Additional for certificate for activities on motor vehicles
    • If applicable, certificate of training or further training in the motor vehicle sector
    • Proof of qualifications obtained according to VO (EG) 307/2008
  • Additionally for the recognition of foreign certificates of competence
    • Copy of the foreign professional qualification or foreign certificate of competence
    • Copy of a certificate of further training for the relevant activity in the application
    • Possibly further documents, please ask for more details at the office where you want to apply for the exemption.

• For exemption from the requirement: technical and manual skills acquired through professional experience that are equivalent to those of vocational training
• For the certificate with completed training: copy of the final certificate
• For the certificate for work on motor vehicles: proof that qualifications in accordance with Regulation (EC) 307/2008 were obtained during training
• For the recognition of foreign certificates of competence: Foreign qualification that corresponds to the German qualification

Objection or administrative court action

You apply for the certificate, the recognition of foreign expertise and the exemption from the training requirement in writing to your Chamber of Industry and Commerce or Chamber of Crafts. You should seek advice from the Chamber before submitting your application, particularly in the case of recognition of foreign expertise and exemption from the training requirement.

• The chamber will check your professional experience and examination certificates
• There may also be further checks, particularly if you are exempt from the requirement to have undergone craft or technical training
• The chamber will issue you with a certificate of competence or exemption

Once you have received the certificate of competence, you may carry out the activities permitted by the relevant certificate of competence.

none

The processing time is highly dependent on the individual case and cannot be specified in general terms.

The costs range from EUR 10 to EUR 200. The exact amount can be found in the Chamber's scale of fees.

There are various sub-categories of the certificate of competence. For work on stationary air conditioning and refrigeration systems, there are certificates in categories I to IV. The certificates differ in terms of the size of the systems (refrigerant charge) and the different activities that may be carried out. You can find more detailed information in the further information.