The consultation was also expected to specify interim minimum refrigerant handling qualifications which will apply in the UK until July 2008, by which time the EU will have clarified what the European requirements will be.

Unfortunately, no details have yet been published on the consultation.

So here is the latest information we could obtain on the subject of Regulation (EC) No 842/2006.

The main provisions of the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulation will apply from July 4, 2007.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), together with the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly and other stakeholders, have produced Initial Guidance on the contents of the f-gas Regulation.

The DTI, working with other Whitehall departments and the devolved administrations, continues to seek the views of UK industry on implementing the regulation and would appreciate comments.

The f-gas Regulation and Directive were published on June 14, 2006 in the Official Journal of the European Union and entered into force is July 4, 2006. It will apply with effect from July 4, 2007.

The objectives
The principal objective is to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of fluorinated gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol.

This regulation will make a significant contribution towards the European Community's Kyoto Protocol target by introducing cost-effective mitigation measures and to prevent distortion of the internal market.

The main focus is on containment and recovery of f-gases, together with harmonised restrictions on the marketing and use of f-gases in applications where containment of f-gases is difficult to achieve, or the use of f-gases is considered inappropriate and suitable alternatives exist.

The sectors affected
The containment and recovery articles in the regulation will have an impact on the commercial refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump sectors and in the fire protection sector.

It will also affect the personnel involved in the installation, servicing and recovery of f-gases from these systems as well as from equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gas based solvents, high voltage switchgear and fire extinguishers.

Operators of relevant systems will have a range of obligations including prompt leakage repair, leakage checking and record keeping and ensuring appropriately qualified personnel are used.

However, this regulation will potentially also have an impact on a wider range of f-gas uses due to the recovery obligation provided for in Article 4.3.

The regulation will also impact on producers, importers and exporters of f-gases if they produce, import or export more than 1 tonne of f-gases per annum as they will have to report to the Commission and Member States' competent authorities on the amounts produced, imported or exported. In addition, specified products and equipment that contain f-gases will be subject to labelling requirements and specific uses of f-gases and products that contain f-gases are controlled or banned by the regulation.

These cover certain uses of sulphur hexafluoride for magnesium die-casing, use of certain f-gases in non-refillable containers, fire protection systems, tyres, one component foams, novelty aerosols, footwear and windows and self-chilling cans.

MAC Directive and final text
During negotiations in Council it was agreed that the measures in the regulation relating to Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) should form part of a separate directive amending existing vehicle type approval legislation.

The MAC Directive sets out measures to minimise emissions of f-gases from air conditioning systems in cars (or car derived vans). This is to be achieved principally through: the introduction of maximum leakage rates; the eventual phase out in MAC use of f-gases with global warming potential greater than 150.

The Department of Transport is responsible for transposing the MAC Directive into UK law.

Initial government guidance
Key obligations in the regulation will apply in the UK and the rest of the EU from July 4, 2007. The government is continuing to work with stakeholders to ensure that the f-gas regulation is successfully implemented and its environmental objectives achieved.

This initial framework guidance is a key part of that work and has been developed in discussion with stakeholder groups. The guidance will be updated as necessary, including in the light of progress of the work of the f-gas Regulatory Committee. A supplementary document to the initial guidance on frequently asked questions has also been published.

Future work
Minimum Qualification Requirements for Personnel in the European Community involved in containment and recovery of f-gases and ODS.

The consultants, ICF International, have submitted their final report to the Commission on F-Gas minimum qualifications requirements.

This report provides information on what minimum qualifications are currently available in Member States and contains recommendations for each of the sectors caught by the regulations.

Advance Yacht Systems presents the new M24
Constructed on Mermaid’s standard 304-18awg stainless steel base with dual condensate drains, the M24 is an ideal addition to a vessel looking for maximum performance and durability all in one package. Available in right hand and top fan outlet configurations, this self contained system produces 24,000 BTU/h in cooling and over 28,000 BTU/h in reverse cycle heat mode.

‘We’re pleased to announce the newest addition to the Mermaid Marine Air range - the M24, a 24,000 BTU air conditioning unit available in cool only and reverse cycle’ says Rod Boreham, MD of Advance Yacht Systems, the UK importer for Florida based Mermaid Marine Air.

In common with all of the Mermaid range, starting with the compact M5 unit, the M24 shares the comprehensive features of Soft Start and Time Delay Relay as standard. These components (which often cost extra) are vital when more than one unit is being installed on a vessel. Without them, it will be necessary to have a much larger generator than would otherwise be required.

‘We’ve also got a new addition to our comprehensive range of cabin controllers. The FX-1 joins our range of slim digital controllers’. At present we offer the basic unit that provides on/off and temp control, a unit that can be programmed for a full week of variable times and a programmable infra-red remote control. The FX-1 goes beyond the scope of these units and provides full climate control’.

Advance Yacht Systems is the UK importer for Paguro Generators, Dessalator Watermakers and Mermaid Marine Air.
Advance Yacht Systems Ltd

 Climma’s versatile units greatly improved
Climma air conditioning is manufactured by the long-established family business; Veco s.p.a. based just outside Milan, Italy. Veco specialises in Frigoboat refrigeration and Climma air-conditioning and is arguably the best refrigeration company in the world.

Climma air conditioning is extremely versatile; it is equally suited as a stand-alone compact unit on a 30ft yacht or a specially designed chilled water system with fresh air make up on a 200ft mega-yacht.

With options available in compact, split and chilled water versions Climma air conditioning is suitable for any marine application. With the inclusion of three boiler options into the range the heating side of the system has been greatly improved. Added to this is the new Vega Mk II digital control panel, specifically designed for ease of use the display shows the ambient temperature with easily adjusted parameters by a simple push button sequence.

Some of the advanced functions include unattended mode and dehumidification, the panel is available in several colours with various bezels.

Climma air-conditioning systems are extremely compact and very competitively priced. Renowned for their excellent quality, Climma air-conditioning is a favourite with some of the world’s premier boat builders. Represented in the UK by Fischer Panda who offer a full system design, installation and maintenance package.
Fischer Panda

Dometic continues to be innovative
Dometic Marine is the world’s largest manufacturer of marine air conditioning systems and a leading supplier to the world OEM boat building industry.

The company has been producing the Cruisair, Marineair and Condaria brands for over 45 years and even claim to be responsible for the world’s first marine air conditioning system.

Today, Dometic strives to develop innovative new technology to keep pace with the ever demanding requirements of the marine industry.

For 2007 the company will be launching a brand new range of self contained air conditioning systems set to dictate new standards within the industry says Steve Morris, Dometic Marine’s technical manager. Dometic have a continual challenge to innovate and design smaller, higher performance air conditioning systems, the new Turbo platform addresses the majority of customers’ requests which include higher performance, smaller dimensions, and quieter operation.

Dometic also has a new range of high performance compact chilled water systems available this year along with control systems that are Can Bus or Ethernet compatible.

Service and support remain as important as ever to Dometic. They have a truly global worldwide dealer network and invest heavily in their dealers and service centres. With the majority of the UK boats heading to export markets Dometic consider it vital to continue and improve the level of technical support that customers have come to expect of them over the years.
Dometic Marine

Krueger welcomes enquiries
Krueger is a leader in designing and supplying diesel fired heating systems for many types of marine craft including floating platforms, pilot launches, harbour patrol craft, surveillance and customs boats, tug boats, naval craft up to about 80ft, passenger vessels, pleasure motor and sailing boats.

Most of these systems are single or multiple units delivering heated air through a ducting system. However, there are increasing occasions when piped hot water to radiators and/or fan matrix units if the better solution.

Indeed, there are opportunities to use a combination of air and water, particularly where domestic hot water is required for the galley or a demisting arrangement is necessary.

Krueger has combined a chilled water air conditioning system with the Eberspacher's Hydronic diesel fired, hot water boiler for north European waters where reverse cycle systems struggle to extract sufficient heat from the cold seas.

Trade and distributor enquiries are welcomed.
Krueger

Webasto Blue Comfort offers fully integrated marine climate control
Webasto’s innovative Blue Comfort climate control technology brings together the best in both marine heating and cooling in one fully automated system.

Total integration allows the boat owner to simply select a temperature – and that temperature will be maintained, regardless of weather conditions outside. This advanced technology brings automated climate control within the reach of every boat owner, for any size of craft.

Basically, Webasto combines one of its world-class diesel fired water heaters – such as the Thermo Top C or Thermo 90, with a Blue Cool Classic or Blue Cool Select air conditioning system.

Multiple air conditioning units can be integrated with the heater to provide a total climate control facility throughout the boat.

The system can be set to operate automatically, regulating between heating and cooling as required to maintain any pre-set temperature.

This system offers the ultimate in convenience and comfort. By combining the high performance Blue Cool Premium air conditioning system with a suitable Webasto water heater it becomes possible to select and maintain the precise desired temperature for each individual cabin.

The system is far easier to install than separate heating and cooling circuits and occupies far less space. Each Blue Comfort system represents cutting edge technology and is completely exclusive to Webasto.

Boat owners also enjoy the benefit of a two year warranty, plus the peace of mind from dealing with a single supplier for all the components.
Webasto

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