DM asks A/C, refrigeration companies to control gas emissions

The department has sent out a circular to all companies in this field urging them to adhere to the UAE Federal Decree 72/2004, and the Environment Department Technical Guideline No. 58 on the prohibition of venting of refrigerant gas used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

The circular, signed by Hamdan Al Shaer, Director of Environment Department, asked all companies in this field to adequately collect, handle and dispose all waste refrigerants which are considered controlled substances.

They should do this in line with the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) instruction and directive or advice from the Department.

It further asked them to obtain approval from the Environment Department for activities related to air conditioning and refrigeration system maintenance and services.

These companies, the circular stipulated, should have trained technicians and recovery equipment to make sure that refrigerants are recovered and/or recycled for reuse, reprocessed (reclaimed), or properly disposed of whenever removed from air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

It warned of legal actions including fines and license cancellation in case of violation of these rules.