First Training for the European A1 Certificate — Done

News

On April 14–15, the first training in Poland preparing participants to obtain the European A1 certificate, covering F-gases and hydrocarbons, took place at the 4R Centre.

This is a significant milestone for the refrigeration industry — European certification encompassing work with flammable refrigerants, CO₂ and ammonia is now becoming a practical reality in Poland, even in the absence of national legislation.

The industry is changing — and so must competencies

The HVACR market transformation is accelerating. Restrictions on high-GWP refrigerants and the growing adoption of alternative refrigerant technologies mean that service technicians must develop new skills.

The European A1 and A2 certificates are a direct response to these changes — confirming the knowledge and competencies required to safely work with the next generation of refrigerants.

From theory to practice

The training was designed to combine theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.

Day one covered, among other topics:

  • an introduction to refrigeration based on flammable refrigerants,
  • safety considerations and refrigerant properties,
  • legal foundations,
  • differences in system design,
  • calculation examples for charge limits,
  • good service practice sessions.

Participants also had the opportunity to test their knowledge through a mock theoretical exam, serving as an additional preparation tool for the final assessment.

The second day focused on the practical component — working through real-world service scenarios, refining procedures, and preparing for the final exam.

Learning in a real environment

The training began with a visit to a refrigerant separation facility and the Refrigerant Recovery and Reclamation Centre at the 4R Centre.

This gave participants a firsthand look at responsible refrigerant management in action, and at the processes behind refrigerant recovery and reclamation.

The exam and real-world competency

The training concluded with both a theoretical exam — comprising a multiple-choice test and an open-answer paper — and a practical assessment. This structure verifies not only knowledge, but above all the ability to apply it, which is critical when working with flammable and natural refrigerants where safety is paramount.

The next step for the industry

In 2014, we were the first in Poland to introduce F-gas certificates. Today, we are once again setting the direction — enabling professionals to obtain European qualifications ahead of new regulations being transposed at the national level.

This first edition of the training is just the beginning.

📌 The next session is planned for May — spots are still available.