Being refrigerant ready – automotive workshops

Auto workshops should be preparing themselves for vehicles containing the new refrigerant R1234yf.

In 2014/15, R1234yf started to be seen pre-charged in some vehicles imported into the country, and available commercially from selected wholesalers. As R1234yf and related equipment becomes readily available in Australia, and more global manufacturers adopt the new refrigerant, the number of R1234yf-equipped vehicles requiring service will increase.

However, these changes will be expected to occur over many years, with R134a continuing to be made available for servicing of existing and older vehicles. R744 is another refrigerant also being used by Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Group.

Both new gases and the systems designed for them will present significant changes to the tools, work practices, component standards and workplace safety considerations relating to repair, service and refrigerant recovery. Therefore, it is important that technicians have an understanding of these new refrigerants.

R1234yf and R744 are not listed as scheduled substances under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act) and therefore are not regulated under Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 (the Regulations). Only fluorocarbon-based refrigerants are covered under the Act, Regulations and the ARC licence scheme.

The ARC website will be updated regularly with further information on R1234yf and R744.

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