AHRI and UN Environment Launch Global Refrigerant Management Training Program

Date Published: June 27, 2019

Contact: Francis Dietz
Vice President, Public Affairs
703-969-6444
fdietz@ahrinet.org

Arlington, Va. — The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and UN Environment completed the first round of training sessions for the Refrigerant Driving License (RDL), a global refrigerant management initiative June 24-27 in Kigali, Rwanda. This pilot stage initiates a global program to help Article 5 (developing) countries transition to alternative refrigerants under the Montreal Protocol Kigali Amendment’s hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown schedule.


“AHRI is honored to partner with UN Environment in this important global effort to prepare for the coming refrigerant transition,” said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. “It is especially fitting that the first pilot program is held in Kigali, whose name is associated with the most recent amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which AHRI fully supports.”


The RDL sets minimum requirements for the proper and safe handling of refrigerants in air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment. The train-the-trainer session held in Kigali is the first part of a comprehensive program in which a refrigerant management expert (Master Trainer) trains a small number of local trainers on how to administer the RDL program in their country. The local trainers will then train an initial pool of approximately 100 local technicians in the proper and safe handling of refrigerants.


In the coming months, five other countries will participate in the pilot program: Grenada, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago. AHRI and UN Environment will evaluate the pilot stage and modify the final RDL training program based on feedback from the pilot program.

About AHRI

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, and commercial refrigeration, and water heating equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI's 300+ member companies manufacture quality, efficient, and innovative residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment and components for sale in North America and around the world. Learn more about AHRI’s office in the MENA region here.