The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) today announced that EPA Section 609 credentials will have additional importance heading into the new year. Starting January 1, 2018, the EPA will require Section 609 credentials to purchase non-ozone-depleting refrigerants such as R-134a and R-1234yf. This requirement was originally imposed on R-12 and now applies to these newer refrigerants. The requirement for Section 609 credentials applies to sales of refrigerant containers 2 lbs. and larger.
"The EPA requires that service technicians have Section 609 credentials to service motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) systems," said Tim Zilke, ASE President and CEO. "This new requirement when purchasing refrigerants adds even more importance to these credentials."
Service professionals can satisfy the sales requirement by showing their certificate or wallet card prior to purchase. Refrigerant distributors and wholesalers will need to keep records of refrigerant transactions for three years.
Section 609 credentials can be earned with the EPA-approved ASE Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Program. For convenience, ASE recommends that technicians take the program online so they can get their results instantly. The program costs $19 and more details can be found at www.ase.com/609.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence was established in 1972 as a non-profit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts specialists. Today, there are over a quarter of a million ASE Certified professionals at work in dealerships, independent shops, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, schools and colleges throughout the country. In addition, over 50,000 students currently hold ASE student certification credentials. For more information about ASE, visit the Web site at www.ase.com.
