 Note
| The laws and regulations listed below are valid in the
Federal Republic of Germany. Other or additional laws and
regulations may apply in other countries. |
| Sources in other countries may be obtained from the
responsible authorities. |
| The effects concerning the changing climate can be seen
world-wide. The protection of the climate is therefore one of
the most important tasks for the human race. This task is a
massive challenge for all concerned. |
| The so called Kyoto Protocol defines, amongst other items,
world-wide targets to protect the climate. This protocol defines
apart from the reduction targets for carbon dioxide, the
reduction targets for fluoride containing greenhouse gases e.g.
for refrigerant R134a due to the high greenhouse potential. |
| Within Europe a large number of respective statutes exist
for the motor industry. Nationally (Federal Republic of Germany)
for example in addition to European legislation, from the 1st of
August 2008 the climate protective regulation concerning
chemicals comes into force. |
| Regulation (EU) No. 1005/2009 |
| Regulation (EU) No. 2037/2000 |
| Regulation (EU) No. 517/2014 |
| Regulation (EU) No. 706/2007 |
| Regulation (EU) No. 307/2008 |
| Climate protective regulation concerning chemicals; closed
substance cycle waste management and ensuring environmentally
compatible waste disposal (only Germany) |
| Maintenance and repairs to refrigerant circuits for air
conditioning systems |
| All personnel performing maintenance and repairs on air
conditioning systems for motorized vehicles must have attended
the respective training programme and have the appropriate
knowledge (certified). Other legislation may apply outside the
European Union. |
| In general the following applies: |
| Operation, maintenance, decommissioning, duty to accept
returned material |
| It is prohibited to allow the release into the atmosphere of
materials contained in products containing refrigerants during
the operation, maintenance or removal from service of such
products. |
| The quantities used during operation and maintenance work
should be documented (see Refrigerant Logbook,
→ Volkswagen InfoNet, Service handbook; Environmental
protection; Environmental protection in the dealership and in
the workshop; Emission protection; Air contaminating substances,
refrigerant for vehicle air conditioning systems) so
that a proof of use document is available for presentation to
the responsible authorities upon request. A record sheet need no
longer be kept within the EU due to respective European
parliament legislation from 2005. Other legislation may apply in
countries not belonging to the EU. |
| Companies which sell materials and preparations listed in
the above mentioned legislation have the duty of accept returned
materials and preparations after they have been used, or to
ensure that a specified third party will accept them. |
| Maintenance work and decommissioning of products that
contain refrigerant referred to in the above mentioned
legislation as well as the acceptance of returned substances and
preparations referred to in this legislation may only be carried
out by persons who have the necessary specialist knowledge and
technical equipment. |
| Offences and breaches of the regulations |
| A person is in breach of the regulations and laws referred
to if that person performs acts of wilful misconduct or
negligence when operating, performing maintenance work on or
decommissioning products that contain the refrigerants referred
to, contrary to the norms of technical practice, allows the
substances contained in them to escape into the atmosphere or
wilfully or negligently breaches the applicable regulations and
laws mentioned above. |
| Make sure to observe the corresponding technical rules (e.g.
TRGS 400, TRGS 402, TRGS 407, TRGS 510, TRGS 725, TRBS 3145)
when handling compressed gases and, in particular, when filling
compressed gases from one compressed gas container into another
one. |
Note
| The following paragraphs are only extracts from the
Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) (relevant for
automobile manufacturers and workshops). |
| TRGS 400 (Risk assessment for activities involving hazardous
substances). |
| TRGS 402 (Identification and assessment of the risks from
activities involving hazardous substances: inhalation exposure). |
| TRGS 407 (Risk assessment for activities involving gaseous
substances). |
| TRGS 510 (Storage of hazardous substances in non-stationary
containers). |
| TRBS 3145/TRGS 725 (Non-stationary compressed gas containers
– charging, storage, in-house transportation, emptying). |
Note
| The Technical Rules for Compressed Gases (TRG), the
Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) and the
Technical Rules for Operational Safety (TRBS) reflect the state
of technology, occupational safety and health, occupational
hygiene as well as other definite knowledge relating to
provision and use of work equipment, operation of facilities
requiring supervision and activities involving hazardous
substances. |
| The technical rules stated here are valid in Germany and do
not necessarily reflect the rules and regulations valid in other
countries. |
| Make sure to observe the corresponding technical rules (e.g.
TRGS 400, TRGS 402, TRGS 407, TRGS 510, TRGS 725, TRBS 3145)
when handling compressed gases and, in particular, when filling
compressed gases from one compressed gas container into another
one. |
| Filling stations – general provisions. |
| Filling stations – set-up and operation. |
| This does not apply to vehicle manufacturers and workshops. |
| Filling stations are systems for charging non-stationary
compressed gas containers. A filling station comprises its
corresponding premises and equipment. |
| Charging systems that require authorisation are charging
systems which are filled with compressed gases in mobile
compressed gas containers for transfer to other containers. |
| Filling stations that do not require authorisation are
filling stations in which compressed gases are filled into
non-stationary compressed gas containers for exclusive use
within a company. |
| Employees and their instruction |
| Employees are to be instructed in the following points
before beginning work as well as at regular, appropriate
intervals, but at least annually: |
| The particular hazards arising when handling compressed
gases; |
| The safety regulations, particularly the existing Technical
Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS) and the Technical Rules
for Operational Safety (TRBS); |
| The actions to be taken in the event of defects, damage or
accidents; |
| The handing of fire extinguishers and protective equipment;
|
| The operation and maintenance of filling stations, with
particular reference to the user's manual. |
| Filling stations may be operated and maintained only by
persons who |
| are at least 18 years of age; |
| possess the required technical knowledge; |
| can be expected to fulfil their duties reliably. |
| Supervised work may be done by persons who do not fulfil the
requirements according to item 2.1, figures 1 and 2. |
| Charging pressure tanks (for tanks from other countries,
other technical rules that are not mentioned here may apply). |
| A compressed gas container may be charged only with the
compressed gas that is listed on its label, and only up to the
quantity indicated on the container in terms of pressure, weight
and volume (see Regulations for Pressure Tanks). |
| A container that can be used for different types of
compressed gas must have a label on it listing the compressed
gases with which it may be charged. If the compressed gas
concerned has a tc ≥ -10°C (tc = critical temperature), the max.
permissible charging weight in accordance with TRGS must also be
indicated on the container before it is connected for charging. |
| Compressed gas containers for which the max. permissible
charge overpressure at 15°C is given in bar must be charged by
pressure gauge (manometer). If during charging the temperature
differs from 15°C, the pressure corresponding to the different
temperature should be determined by the charging equipment; it
must be ensured that the permissible positive pressure for
charging at 15°C in the compressed gas container is not
exceeded. To determine possible overcharging, the charged
containers must be checked through random pressure tests. |
| Compressed gas containers on which the maximum permissible
charging quantity is indicated by the net weight (charged
weight, permissible weight of the contents) in kilograms must be
charged according to weight (gravimetrically). The containers
must be weighed during charging and, to determine possible
overcharging subsequently subjected to a weight check on a
special scale. Scales for control weighing must be calibrated. |
| Under particular conditions, gases with tc ≥ +70°C from
compressed gas containers with a capacity of no more than 150 l
may be charged into a compressed gas container with a capacity
of no more than 1000 cc. The conditions of the TRGS apply to
charging mechanic's bottles with liquid gas. |
| For vehicle containers, different TRGS apply: |
| – |
For gases with tc ≥ +70°C. |
| – |
For technical gas mixtures with tc ≥ +70°C. |
| – |
Liquid, deep-cooled compressed gases in variance to those
stated under item 4 may be charged by volume (volumetrically),
if the charging device and/or the container with equipment is
equipped with devices for measuring or limiting the volume of
the charge and (except vehicle containers as specified under
item 3) for measuring the temperature of the charge. When
charging by volume it must be ensured that the permitted charge
weight shown on the container is not exceeded. To determine
possible overcharging, the charged containers are to be checked
gravimetrically on a calibrated scale or – provided that the
pressurised gases are not highly toxic – volumetrically.
Volumetric checking presupposes that the appropriate equipment
is in place; charging and checking equipment must be independent
of each other. |
| The charge and check measurements must not be performed by
the same person. Check measurements must be performed
immediately upon conclusion of the charging process. |
| Overcharged containers must be discharged immediately to
the permissible charge quantity and in a manner without hazard.
Following this, the quantity of compressed gas charged must be
determined once again. |
| Some regulations of the TRGS 407 do not (fully) apply to
containers for liquid, deep-cooled compressed gases which are
neither flammable nor toxic; regulations for traffic law remain
unaffected. |
| When compressed gas containers are to be charged with gases
in the liquid state at a charging temperature of ≤ -20°C, the
compressed gas container must not be released from the charging
system for transportation until the container wall has achieved
a temperature ≥ +20°C (applies for vessel materials not tested
for temperatures ≤ -20°C). |
| Converting R12 refrigerant circuits to R134a refrigerant
circuits and repairing them (retrofitting) |
Note
| Due to the environmental situation and the consequent
legislation, refrigerant R12 is currently neither in production
nor available. Refrigerant R134a was developed as a replacement
for R12. |
| However, air conditioning systems developed and designed for
refrigerant R12 cannot simply be charged with refrigerant R134a.
To ensure trouble-free operation of the air conditioning system
following a retrofit, various components of the refrigerant
circuit must be replaced. |
| An exact description of the procedure for conversion and
instructions for repair of converted refrigerant circuits can be
found in the
→ Repair manual for air conditioning systems with refrigerant
R12 parts 2 and 3. This workshop manual is only
available as a hard copy. |
| Maintaining records on refrigerant |
| According to the environmental statistics law, a record
concerning the use of refrigerants must be kept. |
| Car manufacture and repair businesses must be prepared to
furnish information concerning use of refrigerants to the
statistical office for the country in which the work is being
performed. It is therefore recommended to keep records of the
amounts of refrigerant handled during operation and maintenance
(Refrigerant Logbook)
→ Volkswagen ServiceNet, Environmental Protection; Service
handbook; Emission protection; Air contaminating substances,
refrigerant for vehicle air conditioning systems)
which must be available for presentation to the responsible
authorities upon request. |
Note
| A record sheet need no longer be kept within the EU due to
respective European parliament legislation from 2005. Other
legislation may apply in countries not belonging to the EU. |
|
Recycling and refuse law