ACR Journal

CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai acrjournal.uk 17 REFRIGERANT UPDATE Operative register Another interesting point of divergence is that of operative registration. I remember discussing mandatory operative registration as part of the original F-Gas Regulations drafting and it was very much on the table. Indeed when DEFRA first approached REFCOM about forming the UK’s mandatory company registration scheme (before they opened it up to also allow Quidos and Bureau Veritas to also set up f-gas registers) the concept of operative registration was very much on the cards, and the ACRIB Register was the UK industry preferred way forward for this requirement. It was dropped after resistance from the continent, mainly from countries like France which already have strict registration at a local level for any business to operate. It caused a lot of confusion at stakeholder group meetings in Brussels when we discussed this because they couldn’t understand how easy it was for people to go into business in countries like the UK, so they simply didn’t see the need for mandating operative registration. The Commission’s opinion was that we were free to impose this in the UK over and above the regulation itself, but of course the UK Government approach was always that we would not “gold plate EU regulations”. One of the first things I did after the EU withdrawal Act came into force was to point out to DEFRA that we are no longer in the EU, that the regulations are now GB Regulations, and therefore we can now enact the mandatory operative register that UK industry has long pointed out was necessary to police the regulations here properly and e ectively. A number of cases of fraudulent use of operative certificates over the years has really highlighted to us at REFCOM just how necessary this move really is, and we are hopeful that DEFRA introduce it here under the current f-gas review. The evidencing of competency has become even more urgent in the UK in recent months after the enacting of the Building Safety Act, with the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Grenfell Tower inquiry report coming into e ect, so the ability to register people’s competences is an essential tool in the arsenal for Government to ensure compliance across the board. Building Safety Act The Building Safety Bill received royal assent on 28th April, becoming the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022. Does it apply to you? Yes, it does. The Act uses the term ‘buildings in scope’, unfortunately the use of this phrase has caused confusion leading many to dismiss the Act as not being applicable to them. The general provision of the Act applies to everyone and everything in building and there are additional new and stricter rules for controls on higher-risk buildings (HRBs). The Building Safety Act names HSE as the new Building Safety Regulator in England. It has three main functions: • overseeing the safety and standards of all buildings • helping and encouraging the built environment industry and building control professionals to improve their competence • leading implementation of the new regulatory framework for high-rise buildings For our sector that means, evidencing your skills and competence not only as an organisation but for those that you employ. This will and is becoming the norm. The BSA introduces a new Duty Holders role on those who procure, design, manage and undertake the building work, it is the Duty Holders responsibility to ensure all work complies with all relevant Building Regulations. Do not forget if carrying out ‘controlled services’ such as installing a ventilation or air-conditioning system this work is notifiable to Local Authority Building Control under the Building Regulations. If you are not a member of a Competent Person Scheme approval will need to be sought from building control or under third party certification. It is about accountability, competence and compliance and documented evidence that the work you have done is compliant with the regulations and has been completed by competent individuals.