
Article 1 
This Regulation establishes minimum requirements for the certification referred to in Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 in relation to stationary fire protection systems and fire extinguishers containing certain fluorinated greenhouse gases as well as the conditions for mutual recognition of certificates issued in accordance with those requirements.
Article 2 

1. This Regulation shall apply to personnel carrying out the following activities with regard to fire protection systems:
(a) leakage checking of applications containing three kilograms or more of fluorinated greenhouse gases;
(b) recovery, also with regard to fire extinguishers;
(c) installation;
(d) maintenance or servicing.
2. It shall also apply to companies carrying out the following activities with regard to fire protection systems:
(a) installation;
(b) maintenance or servicing.
3. This Regulation shall not apply to any manufacturing and repairing activity undertaken at manufacturers’ sites for containers or associated components of stationary fire protection systems containing certain fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Article 3 
For the purposes of this Regulation the following definitions shall apply:

1.. ‘installation’ means connecting for the first time at the location in which they will operate, one or more containers containing or designed to contain fluorinated greenhouse gas extinguishing agent with associated components, excluding those components which do not affect the containment of the extinguishing agent prior to its release for the purpose of fire extinguishing.
2.. ‘maintenance or servicing’ means all activities that entail work on the containers containing or designed to contain fluorinated greenhouse gas extinguishing agent or on the associated components, excluding those components which do not affect the containment of the extinguishing agent prior to its release for the purpose of fire extinguishing.
Article 4 

1. Personnel carrying out the activities referred to in Article 2(1) shall hold a certificate as referred to in Article 5 or Article 6.
2. Paragraph 1 shall not apply for a maximum period of one year to personnel undertaking one of the activities referred to in Article 2(1), enrolled in a training course for the purpose of obtaining a certificate covering the relevant activity, provided that they carry out the activity under the supervision of a person holding a certificate covering the relevant activity.
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Article 5 

1. A certification body as referred to in Article 10 shall issue a certificate to personnel who have passed a theoretical and practical examination organised by an evaluation body as referred to in Article 11, covering the minimum skills and knowledge set out in the Annex.
2. The certificate shall contain at least the following:
(a) the name of the certification body, the full name of the holder, a certificate number, and the date of expiry if any;
(b) the activities which the holder of the certificate is entitled to perform;
(c) issuing date and issuer’s signature.
3. Where an existing examination-based certification system covers the minimum skills and knowledge set out in the Annex and meets the requirements of Articles 10 and 11, but the related attestation does not contain the elements laid down in paragraph 2 of this Article, a certification body referred to in Article 10 may issue a certificate to the holder of this qualification without repeating examination.
4. Where an existing examination based certification system meets the requirements of Articles 10 and 11 and partially covers the minimum skills as set out in the Annex, certification bodies may issue a certificate provided that the applicant passes a supplementary examination of the skills and knowledge not covered by the existing certification organised by an evaluation body referred to in Article 11.
Article 6 
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Article 7 

1. Companies referred to in Article 2(2) shall hold a certificate as referred to in Article 8 or Article 9.
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Article 8 

1. A certification body as referred to in Article 10 shall issue a certificate to a company for one or more of the activities referred to in Article 2(2) provided that it fulfils the following requirements:
(a) employment of personnel certified in accordance with Article 5, for the activities requiring certification, in a sufficient number to cover the expected volume of activities;
(b) proof that the necessary tools and procedures are available to the personnel engaged in activities for which certification is required.
2. The certificate shall contain at least the following:
(a) the name of the certification body, the full name of the holder, a certificate number, and the date of expiry if any;
(b) the activities which the holder of the certificate is entitled to perform;
(c) issuing date and issuer’s signature.
Article 9 
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Article 10 

1. A certification body shall be ... allowed to issue certificates to personnel or companies involved in one or more of the activities referred to in Article 2.The certification body shall be independent and impartial in carrying out its activities.
2. The certification body shall establish and apply procedures for the issuance, suspending and withdrawing of certificates.
3. The certification body shall maintain records that allow verifying the status of a certified person or company. The records shall demonstrate that the certification process has been effectively fulfilled. Records shall be kept for a minimum period of five years.
Article 11 

1. An evaluation body ... shall organise examinations for the personnel referred to in Article 2(1). A certification body as referred to in Article 10 may also qualify as an evaluation body.The evaluation body shall be independent and impartial in carrying out its activities.
2. Examinations shall be planned and structured in a manner which ensures that the minimum skills and knowledge set out in the Annex are covered.
3. The evaluation body shall adopt reporting procedures and keep records to enable the documentation of the individual and overall results of the evaluation.
4. The evaluation body shall ensure that examiners assigned to a test have due knowledge of the relevant examination methods and examination documents as well as an appropriate competence in the field to be examined. It shall also ensure that the necessary equipment, tools and materials are available for the practical tests.
Article 12 
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Article 13 

1. Recognition  of certificates issued in  European Union  Member States shall only apply to certificates issued in accordance with Article 5 for personnel and Article 8 for companies.
2. Holders of certificates may be required  to provide a translation of the certificate in  English.
Article 14 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
...Done at Brussels, 2 April 2008.
For the Commission
Stavros DIMAS
Member of the Commission
ANNEX


The examination referred to in Articles 5(1) and 11(2) shall comprise the following:

((a)) a theoretical test with one or more questions testing that skill or knowledge, as indicated in the column ‘Test type’ by (T);
((b)) a practical test where the applicant shall perform the corresponding task with the relevant material, tools and equipment, as indicated in the column ‘Test type’ by (P).

Minimum knowledge and skills Test type
1. Basic knowledge of relevant environment issues (climate change, Kyoto Protocol, global warming potential of fluorinated greenhouse gases) T
2. Basic knowledge of relevant technical standards T
3. Basic knowledge of relevant provisions of Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 and of the relevant Regulations implementing provisions of Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 T
4. Good knowledge of the different types of fire protection equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases on the market T
5. Good knowledge of types of valves, actuation mechanisms, safe handling, prevention of discharge and leakage T
6. Good knowledge of equipment and tools required for safe handling and work practices T
7. Ability to install fire protection system containers designed to contain fluorinated greenhouse gases P
8. Knowledge of correct practices to move pressurised containers containing fluorinated greenhouse gases T
9. Ability to check system records prior to a check for leakage and identify the relevant information on any repeating issues or problem areas to pay attention to T
10. Ability to make a visual and manual checking of the system for leakage in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1497/2007 of 18 December 2007 establishing, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, standard leakage checking requirements for stationary fire protection systems containing certain fluorinated greenhouse gases P
11. Knowledge of environmentally friendly practices for the recovery of fluorinated greenhouse gases from and charging of fire protection systems T
