Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are commonly used as refrigerants in Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC)equipment and have high Global Warming Potential (GWP). In the atmosphere, HFCs are much more potent greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide and contribute significantly to global warming.
NEA has stepped up efforts to reduce the use of HFCs by implementing licensing controls on the import and export of HFCs from 1 January 2019, with the aim of establishing a better national consumption baseline level. Find out more about the licensing controls here.
To reduce GHG emissions from the use of HFC refrigerants in the RAC sector, NEA is implementing the mitigation measures below.
Restriction on the supply of RAC equipment using high-GWP refrigerants
NEA is phasing out RAC equipment that use high-GWP refrigerants, starting with those that have available climate-friendly alternative refrigerants. With effect from 1 October 2022, the following requirements will apply:
- The GWP of the refrigerant used or required in the regulated goods listed below should not exceed the prescribed GWP limits. The GWP of a refrigerant and its blend/mixture can be found here.
| Regulated goods* | Prescribed GWP Limits |
Air-conditioners- Single-phase non-ducted room air-conditioner (split type (inverter)) with cooling capacity of 17.6 kW or lower that is not a single-phase variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditioner
- Single-phase non-ducted room air-conditioner (split type (non-inverter)) with cooling capacity of 17.6 kW or lower
| 750 |
Single-phase refrigerator with an adjusted volume of up to 900 litres. | 15 |
Electrically driven water-cooled chiller with a cooling capacity of 1,055 kW or more that is used for one or more purposes that include producing chilled water for air-conditioning. | 15 |
*Goods supplied before 1 October 2022 will not be affected. Any supplier that intends to supply any of the regulated goods in Singapore, must apply to be a registered supplier and register the regulated goods with NEA before supplying the regulated goods in Singapore. This is with the exception of the following where they will be considered as already registered under the EPMA:
- Companies supplying regulated air-conditioners and refrigerators and are already registered under the ECA for Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) / Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)
- Models of regulated air-conditioners and refrigerators that are already registered under the MELS/MEPS and meet the GWP limits Please refer to www.nea.gov.sg/els for more information on MELS/MEPS.
- Any person who intends to directly import a regulated water-cooled chiller into Singapore for their own use must also apply to NEA to register the chiller before importing into Singapore.
Under the EPM (Amendment) Act 2021 Section 40C and 40D, any person found to be non-compliant to the measures shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
Works involving the use or handling of GHG refrigerant
(A) Water-Cooled Chiller Servicing Works
From 1 October 2022, companies that carry out refrigerant handling[1] works on water-cooled chiller servicing works (installation, maintenance, or decommissioning) including works that disrupt the refrigeration system in the chiller (e.g. the evaporator, condenser, refrigerant piping, expansion valve etc.) must:
- Employ at least one certified chiller technician and ensure that installation, maintenance, and decommissioning works on water-cooled chillers that involves handling of HFC refrigerant with GWP above 15 (regulated GHG works) are carried out with/ directly supervised by at least one certified chiller technician.
- Register with NEA as a GHG Entity.
- Maintain and adhere to the policies, procedures, and processes of the servicing company for carrying out regulated GHG works, and provide adequate equipment for such works
- Recover spent refrigerants with GWP of more than 15 from water-cooled chillers during decommissioning works.
- Ensure that the spent refrigerants are sent to a treatment facility authorised by NEA
- Maintain and submit proper records of regulated GHG works.
It is an offence under the Section 40L of the EPM (Amendment) Act 2021 for companies to carry out regulated GHG works without a certified chiller technician and valid registration with NEA. Companies found to be non-compliant shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.
The list of GHG entities with certified chiller technicians is available here.
Mandatory training and certification for chiller technicians
As part of efforts to enhance the competency of the RAC sector, NEA has worked with Temasek Polytechnic to introduce and conduct training courses for chiller technicians. To attain the certification for compliance with the regulatory requirements, chiller technicians must complete the Refrigerant Handling for Chillers course conducted by Temasek Polytechnic and pass an assessment test.
The course covers both theory and practical hands-on lessons on refrigerant handling during installation, maintenance and decommissioning of water-cooled chillers, with a focus on minimising refrigerant leakages so as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will also cover the impact of HFCs to the environment, the rationale for refrigerant recovery as well as the relevant regulations. For further information on the course, please refer to this link. You may also register for the course at this link.
(B) Household Air-Conditioning Servicing Works
NEA has worked with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to introduce training courses for household air-conditioner technicians. To comply with SCDF’s requirements on the use of R32 air-conditioning systems in Singapore, manufacturers are required to ensure that service personnel have completed training courses conducted by ITE.
For more information on SCDF’s requirements on the use of R32 air-conditioning system, please refer to the latest circular published on their website,
here.
Training and certification for household air-conditioner technicians
To be competent in climate-friendly air-conditioner installation and servicing practices, installers/technicians should complete the Certificate of Competency in Residential Air-Conditioning System (Refrigerant) course. For details about this course, please refer to this link.
List of Certified Technicians
Since the introduction of the training course in Oct 2020, there are about 2700 technicians who has attended the course. The list of installers (including certificate number and companies/individual who sponsored the course) who has completed the Certificate of Competency in Residential Air-Conditioning System (Refrigerant) training course is available here.
Companies with Certified Technicians
The list of air-conditioner servicing companies with certified installers is available here.
ITE also conducts the Air-Conditioning – R32 Refrigerant – Safety Awareness Training course. For details about this training course, please refer to this link.
[1] of GWP more than 15.