 Note
| The laws and regulations listed below are applicable in
Germany. Different or additional laws and regulations may apply
in other countries. |
| Addresses in other countries can be obtained from the
relevant authorities. |
| The effects of climate change can be seen worldwide.
Protecting the climate is one of the most important
responsibilities. However, this responsibility presents enormous
challenges to all involved. |
| The Kyoto Protocol outlines worldwide goals regarding
climate protection, among other things. In addition to target
reductions of carbon dioxide, this protocol also outlines target
reductions for fluorinated greenhouse gases such as refrigerant
R134a due to their high potential of contributing to the
greenhouse effect. |
| Numerous laws have been created for the automotive industry,
for example at the European level. For example, chemical-climate
protection regulations were put into effect on August 1, 2008 in
Germany in order to define the European legislation in more
detail. |
| Provision (EU) number 1005/2009 |
| Provision (EU) number 2037/2000 |
| Provision (EU) number 517/2014 |
| Provision (EU) number 706/2007 |
| Provision (EU) number 307/2008 |
| Chemical Climate Protection Regulations, Recycling and
Refuse Law (for Germany) |
| Maintenance and repair work on the A/C system refrigerant
circuit |
| All individuals performing maintenance and repair work on
vehicle A/C systems must have completed a training program and
be competent in the work required. Other regulations may apply
in addition to those of the European Union. |
| The following general points apply: |
| Operation, repair, decommissioning, take-back obligation |
| When operating, repairing and decommissioning items that
contain refrigerant, allowing the refrigerant to vent into the
air is prohibited. |
| It is therefore recommended to keep a record of the
quantities used during operation and maintenance, so they can be
presented to the authorities upon request. A record sheet no
longer needs to be kept in the EU due to a provision by the
European Parliament in 2005. Other provisions may apply in
countries that are not members of the EU. |
| Distributors of the substances and preparations discussed
above are obligated to accept these items back after use or to
ensure they are accepted by a third party of their choosing. |
| Maintenance and decommissioning of items containing
refrigerant that are named in the legislation Substances and
preparations named in this legislation may only be accepted by
those with the necessary expertise and technical equipment. |
| Criminal offenses and infringements of the law |
| Infringement of the law in regard to the laws mentioned
above. Willfully or negligently venting refrigerant into the air
when operating, repairing or decommissioning items that contain
refrigerant constitutes a violation of the laws and legislation
described above. |
| Observe the different technical regulations for handling and
filling compressed gases in other compressed-gas vessels (for
example TRGS 400, TRGS 402, TRGS 407, TRGS 510, TRGS 725, TRBS
3145). |
Note
| The TRGS (technical regulations for compressed gases) are
listed (concerning vehicle manufacturers and workshops) below. |
| TRGS 400 (hazard assessment for activities with hazardous
substances). |
| TRGS 402 (determining and evaluating the danger of
activities with hazardous substances: inhalative Exposition). |
| TRGS 407 (activities with gasses - hazard assessment). |
| TRGS 510 (storage of hazardous substances in transportable
tanks). |
| TRBS 3145 / TRGS 725 (transportable tanks - filling, keeping
ready, internal transportation, emptying). |
Note
| The technical regulations for compressed gases (TRG),
technical regulations for hazardous substances (TRGS) and the
technical regulations for operational safety (TRBS). These
provide the laws and regulations, the safety precautions and
work hygiene as well as the protected industrial science
knowledge for the provision and use of work equipment and the
system use subject to special supervision or for the activities
with hazardous substances. |
| The provided technical regulations apply to Germany, in
other countries specifications and rules may apply. |
| Observe the different technical regulations for handling and
filling compressed gases in other compressed-gas vessels (for
example TRGS 400, TRGS 402, TRGS 407, TRGS 510, TRGS 725, TRBS
3145). |
| General regulations for charging systems. |
| Definition of terms and explanatory note. |
| Build and operation of charging systems. |
| Does not apply to vehicle manufacturers or workshops. |
| Charging systems are systems for filling mobile
compressed-gas vessels. The charging system includes the
premises and facilities concerned. |
| Charging systems requiring a permit are ones used to
transfer compressed gases to mobile compressed-gas vessels for
supplying to third parties. |
| Charging systems not requiring a permit are ones used for
transferring compressed gases to mobile compressed-gas vessels
for internal use only. |
| Employees and employee instruction |
| Employees are to be given instruction on the following
topics before beginning work and at regular, appropriate
intervals, however at least once a year: |
| Hazards specifically associated with handling compressed
gases |
| The safety regulations, especially the applicable TRGS and
TRBS. |
| Procedures in the event of malfunction, damage and accidents |
| The use of fire-extinguishing and protective equipment
|
| Operation and maintenance of the charging system according
to the operating instructions. |
| Charging systems are only to be operated and maintained by
personnel |
| who are 18 years of age and older, |
| who possess the necessary technical knowledge |
| who can be relied upon to work diligently. |
| Supervised work may also be performed by personnel that do
not meet the requirements stipulated in item 2.1, points 1 and
2. |
| Filling of pressure vessels (separate technical regulations
apply to vessels from other countries and their charging, that
are not mentioned here). |
| A compressed-gas vessel is only to be filled with the
compressed gas declared on it and the quantity must comply with
the stipulated pressure, weight or volume data. Refer to
pressure vessel regulations. |
| In the case of vessels approved for use with several types
of compressed gas, the compressed gas with which it is to be
filled and - if the compressed gas has a tc ≥ -10 °C (tc =
critical temperature) - the maximum permissible charging weight
in line with TRGS must be marked on the vessel prior to
connection for filling. |
| Compressed-gas vessels marked with the maximum permissible
charge pressure in bar (psi) at 15 °C (59 °F) must be filled
manometrically. If, at the time of filling, the temperature is
not 15 °C (59 °F), the pressure corresponding to the prevailing
temperature must be established; it must be ensured that the
permissible charge pressure at 15 °C (59 °F) is not exceeded in
the compressed- gas vessel. The charged vessels are to be
checked by way of random pressure measurements to determine
possible overfilling. |
| Compressed-gas vessels on which the maximum permissible
capacity is indicated by the net weight (filling weight,
permissible weight of fill) in kilograms must be filled
gravimetrically. The vessels are to be weighed during filling
and subsequently subjected to a weight check on special scales
to establish possible overfilling. Scales used for this purpose
must be calibrated. |
| Under certain conditions, gases with a tc greater than or
equal to 70 °C (158 °F) may be transferred volumetrically from
compressed-gas vessels with a maximum volume of 150L to
compressed-gas vessels with a volume of maximum 1000 cm3.
The stipulations of the TRGS apply to the transfer of liquefied
gas to cylinders used by workmen. |
| Different TRGS applies to vessels in vehicles: |
| – |
For gas with tk ≥ 70 °C (158 °F). |
| – |
For industrial gas with tk ≥ 70 °C (158 °F). |
| – |
Liquefied extremely low-temperature compressed gases may,
contrary to item 4, be filled volumetrically if the charging
system and/or the vessels is/are equipped with devices for
measuring or limiting the volume of the charge and – with the
exception of motor vehicle vessels as per item 3 – for measuring
the temperature of the charge. When filling volumetrically, it
must be ensured that the permissible charge weight indicated on
the vessel is not exceeded. To determine possible overfilling,
the filled containers are to be checked gravimetrically on a
calibrated scale or – provided that the pressurized gases are
not highly toxic – volumetrically. Volumetric checking requires
the use of appropriate equipment with completely separate
charging and checking devices. |
| Charging and check measurements are to be performed by
different people. Check measurements must be performed
immediately upon completion of the filling process. |
| Overfilled vessels must be drained immediately and in a safe
manner until the permissible fill is attained. The
compressed-gas fill is then to be determined again. |
| Specific TRGS 407 components do not or only partially apply
to vessels for liquefied, extremely low-temperature compressed
gases which are neither flammable nor toxic; this does not
affect the provisions of road traffic legislation. |
| When filling compressed gas vessels with liquefied gases at
charging temperatures less than or equal to -20 °C (-4 °F), the
compressed gas vessel, if the vessel material has not been
tested for temperatures less than or equal to -20 °C (-4 °F), is
not to be released from the charging system for transportation
until the vessel wall temperature is greater than or equal to 20
°C (68 °F). |
| Refrigerant Circuit, Converting R12 to R134a and Servicing |
Note
| For environmental reasons and on account of the
corresponding legislation, refrigerant R12 can no longer be
manufactured or supplied. Refrigerant R134a has been developed
as a replacement for R12. |
| A/C systems developed and designed for refrigerant R12
cannot however simply be charged with refrigerant R134a. To
ensure trouble-free operation of the air conditioning system
even after conversion, various components of the refrigerant
circuit must be replaced. |
| A precise description of the conversion procedure and
information on the servicing of converted refrigerant circuits
can be found in Repair Manual: Air Conditioner with Refrigerant
R12 Parts 2 and 3. This repair manual is only available in hard
copy. |
| Refrigerant, Keeping Records |
| The environmental statistics law requires records to be kept
on the use of refrigerants. |
| Consequently, motor vehicle workshops may well have to
provide the relevant local authorities with information on their
use of refrigerant. It is therefore recommended to keep records
of the quantities used and operation and maintenance, so they
can be presented to the authorities upon request. |
Note
| A record sheet no longer needs to be kept in the EU due to a
provision by the European Parliament in 2005. Other provisions
may apply in countries that are not members of the EU. |
|
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Recycling and Disposal Regulations