Technician Training and Certification

The EPA updated its list of approved Section 608 programs on April 14, 2010.
The list of authorized 608 Technician Training and Certification programs can be found at http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/608/technicians/608certs.html.
Section 608 certification applies to the servicing of motor vehicle air conditioners.

The last update of the Section 609 programs was occurred on April 14, 2009.
The list of approved 609 Technician Training and Certification programs can be
found at http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/609/technicians/609certs.html.
Section 609 certification applies to the servicing of stationary refrigeration and
air conditioning equipment.


Refrigerant Sales Restriction

The U.S. EPA instituted a refrigerant sales restriction on November 14, 1994.
Some information resulting from the restriction appears below.

Section 608 certified technicians may not buy “small cans”(containers filled with less than 20 pounds of R-12 or EPA-approved motor vehicle air conditioner substitutes, that contain an ozone-depleting substance).

Section 609 certified technicians may not buy R-22 in any size container because it’s an ozone-depleting refrigerant that isn’t intended for use in motor vehicle air
conditioners.

Buses that use R-22 refrigerant aren’t defined as motor vehicle air conditioners,
so Section 608 certification is required to service them.