Applications for new operating rights in refrigeration open in October

Publication date 27.8.2025 9.56
Type:News item

The application process for operating rights in refrigeration will be reformed in October 2025. The reform applies to both existing and new operators in the refrigeration sector. In the EU's revised F-gas Regulation 2024/573, the qualification requirements for refrigeration have been extended not only to F-gases but also to alternative refrigerants. The current personal qualifications expire on 12 March 2029. Responsible persons and fitters in the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency's (Tukes) register must complete a refresher course to extend their operating right and reapply for their qualifications.

New applicants for refrigeration qualifications must have a proof of competence that meets the requirements of the revised F-gas Regulation. Existing refrigeration equipment company certificates must also be reapplied for to update the operating right. 

Due to the change, Tukes is updating its e-services and refrigeration register and will introduce the updated versions in October. Applications for extending the operating right have been taken into account in Tukes' processing fees.

Extending the operating right: take a refresher course and reapply for qualifications

Responsible persons and fitters in Tukes' register must complete a refresher course to retain their operating rights in refrigeration. Operating rights granted based on a refresh course are valid for seven years. Refresher courses in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment are provided by educational institutions and in vehicle air conditioning maintenance, for example, by qualification test provides authorised by Tukes. 

The completion of refresher courses and the operating rights referred to in the revised F-gas Regulation are examined by sector in the Tukes qualification table

The changes for the most popular sectors are as follows:

  • In refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, a refresher course means completing a module of the Further or Vocational Qualification in Building Maintenance Technology that entered into force on 1 August 2025. The module concerns hydrocarbon refrigerants, such as propane. F-gas competence is not renewed. Based on the refresher course and previous qualifications, the applicant is granted an operating right for hydrocarbon refrigerants in addition to F-gases. The A1 operating right replaces the Y3 qualification, while the A2 operating right replaces the E3 qualification.
  • In vehicle air conditioning maintenance, knowledge and skills are updated by completing a refresher course. The operating right for F-gases is extended to refrigerant R1234yf and hydrocarbon refrigerants, among others. Based on the refresher course and previous qualifications, the applicant is granted the M2 operating right. The operating right applies to maintenance performed with automatic equipment. The M2 operating right replaces the KU qualification

Instructions for new applicants with no previous operating right in refrigeration

New applicants must have a proof of competence that meets the requirements of the revised F-gas Regulation. The operating rights include alternative refrigerants for F-gases and are valid for seven years. 

The vocational and further qualification required for the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment sector is provided by educational institutions. Fitters' qualification tests required for vehicle air conditioning maintenance, for example, are organised by qualification test providers authorised by Tukes. 

The qualification requirements for new applicants are examined in the Tukes qualification table. 

Summary of requirements in the most popular sectors:

  • In refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, a module of the Vocational or Further Vocational Qualification in Building Maintenance Technology that entered into force on 1 August 2025 is required as proof of competence. For carbon dioxide and ammonia, a module for the refrigerant in question in line with the previous vocational qualification is also accepted. The operating rights are divided into three groups based on the refrigerant: A1 and A2 (F-gases and hydrocarbon refrigerants), B (carbon dioxide) and C (ammonia). The educational requirement of responsible persons has been reduced in the A1 operating right compared to the previous Y3 operating right. Operating rights concerning carbon dioxide and ammonia will become mandatory at the end of the transition period of the F-gas Regulation on 12 March 2029.
  • Vehicle air conditioning maintenance includes for operating rights M1–M4. The M1 and M2 operating rights apply to F-gases and hydrocarbon refrigerants. M1 is a wide-ranging operating right. M2 is limited to automatic maintenance. M3 applies to CO₂ air conditioners. M4 is limited to recovering F-gases from air conditioners. Due to their extensive scope, the M1 and M3 operating rights of fitters require completing the Vocational Qualification in the Vehicle Sector, including a unit on thermal management system repairs. The M3 operating right will become mandatory in CO₂ air conditioners at the end of the transition period of the F-gas Regulation on 12 March 2029.

Applying for personal qualifications under the old F-gas Regulation

Refrigeration qualifications can be applied for under the old F-gas Regulation 517/2014 until 31 December 2026. The operating right and the qualification requirements are in line with the old regulation. The granted operating right, e.g. Y3 or KU qualification, is valid until 12 March 2029. The e-service of Tukes has a separate application path for applying under the old regulation. The processing fee for a personal qualification application is EUR 75.

Updating the refrigeration equipment company certificate

Existing refrigeration equipment company certificates must be reapplied for to update the operating right. The certificate must be updated in connection with the responsible person and installation personnel's application to extend their operating right after completing the refresher course.

Renewal of e-services, register and processing fees for applications

The e-services and register of Tukes will be updated in the autumn to correspond with the revised F-gas Regulation. The aim is that operating rights and their extensions under the revised F-gas Regulation can be applied for by October at the latest.

In the e-services, you must carefully select the application path, operating right and processing fee.

The application paths are as follows:

  • extension of personal qualifications with a refresher course (the applicant already has a qualification in refrigeration)
  • new applicant or change in personal qualifications
  • change of operating rights for a refrigeration equipment company certificate
  • new refrigeration equipment company.

The processing fees are as follows:

  • extension of personal qualifications with a refresher course: EUR 50
  • new applicant or change in personal qualifications: EUR 75
  • change of operating rights for a refrigeration equipment company certificate: EUR 80
  • new refrigeration equipment company: EUR 180.

Extension to refrigeration registry data

The refrigeration register of Tukes now includes a business ID and permit number for refrigeration equipment companies as well as a permit number for professional qualifications. This makes it easier to identify refrigeration equipment companies and individuals in equipment installations, leak checks and refrigeration sales.

 

More information:Senior Officer Merja Rajamäki
Permit Processor Tiina Heikkinen
Head of Unit Markus Kauppinen
Emails: [email protected]
Enquiries during phone service hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00–14:00)
Tiina Heikkinen, tel. +358 29 5052 156
Merja Rajamäki, tel. +358 29 5052 518
News item from 13 December 2024: Personnel qualifications in refrigeration to become fixed-term
Refrigeration registers (in Finnish)