15.8 Certification Requirements Not only do technicians need certification, so does the equipment the technicians are using. The sections below describe different technician certi- fications, testing information, and equipment certification. 15.8.1 Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Section 609 of the Clean Air Act requires all persons who service motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) units be certified in refrigerant recovery and recycling and proper use of approved equip- ment when performing service involving refrig- erant. Servicing includes repairs, leak testing, and “topping off” air conditioning systems low on refrigerant, as well as other vehicle repairs that require dismantling the air conditioner. MVAC certification can be obtained through a home- study program that includes a booklet and mail-in test. The test is open-book. 15.8.2 Technician Certification Section 608 of the Clean Air Act mandates that all persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of refrigeration and air conditioning appliances (other than motor vehicle systems) must become certified by passing an EPA-approved test. The test is administered by an EPA-approved certifying organization and is monitored by an EPA-approved proctor. Each test contains a different set of ques- tions. A passing score of 70% is required to obtain certification. If EPA regulations change after a technician is certified, it is the technician’s responsibility to comply with any future changes. Failure to comply with EPA regulations can cost a technician and his or her company as much as $25,000 per day, per violation. There are four categories of EPA technician certification: Type I. Technicians servicing small appliances must be certified in refrigerant recovery if they perform sealed-system service. The EPA defini- tion of “small appliances” includes products manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed 15.6 Record-Keeping Requirements Technicians, appliance owners, refrigerant wholesalers, and reclaimers all must keep accu- rate records of services and transactions involving refrigerants. Technicians servicing appliances that contain 50 or more pounds of refrigerant must provide the owner with an invoice indicating the amount of refrigerant added to the system. Technicians must also keep proof of certification at their place of business. Owners of appliances that contain 50 or more pounds of refrigerant must keep service records documenting the date and type of service, as well as the quantity of refrigerant added. Wholesalers who sell HCFC refrigerants must retain invoices that indicate the name of the purchaser, the date of sale, and the quantity of refrigerant purchased. Since 1994, sale of these refrigerants has been restricted to technicians certified in refrigerant recovery. Reclaimers must maintain records of the names and addresses of persons sending them material for reclamation and the quantity of material sent to them for reclamation. At the end of each calendar year, the reclaimer must submit an annual activity report to the EPA. 15.7 Hazardous Waste Disposal Recycled or reclaimed refrigerants are not considered hazardous waste under federal law. Likewise, used oils contaminated with CFCs are not classified as hazardous provided they are: • Not mixed with other waste. • Subjected to CFC recycling or reclamation. • Not mixed with used oils from other sources. Individuals with questions regarding the proper handling of used oils should contact the EPA for guidance. Chapter 15 Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling 265 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.