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Associations mandates gas practitioners ’ registration . SARACCA represents refrigeration contractors and works closely with the SAQCC to ensure that practitioners are correctly trained and certified ," explains Basson .
He further emphasises the importance of certification systems , including the introduction of electronic Certificates of Conformity ( CoCs ), which allow for easy verification of a practitioner ’ s registration status . " The SAQCC database , maintained by SAQCC Gas , provides a simple way to check whether a practitioner is in good standing or if their certification has expired ," Basson says . This digital approach makes it easier for employers and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and improve oversight across the sector .
He similarly emphasises the importance of the ‘ train the trainer ’ concept to expedite certification processes and ensure that training can reach a broader audience quickly . " We need to scale up certification by training more trainers . This will allow us to certify a greater number of practitioners in a shorter time frame , ensuring that more people are equipped to work safely and responsibly with refrigerants . The demand for qualified technicians is high .”
He explains that the SADC RAC Association is committed to supporting companies in identifying potential candidates for trainer roles and providing them with the necessary resources to expand the pool of certified professionals .
ADVANCEMENTS IN GAS PRACTITIONER REGISTRATION AND CROSS-BORDER CERTIFICATION The discussion touched on the broader regional implications , particularly with neighbouring countries . " The training and certification system in South Africa can serve as a model for other countries in the Southern African Development Community ( SADC )," Basson states . He uses Namibia as an example of how similar systems can be adapted across borders to maintain high standards and facilitate cross-border trade and mobility for certified practitioners .
" In Namibia , for example , a gas practitioner must undergo training at a recognised centre using standardised training materials . Once they complete both the theoretical and practical components successfully , they apply to the local association for registration on the national database . This process mirrors South Africa ’ s approach but also points to the challenges in aligning cross-border certification systems . South Africa has developed its own set of rules and has invested heavily in setting up the SAQCC Gas database and issuing electronic CoCs . As a result , there is a reluctance to register practitioners from other countries on the South African system ," he notes .
To address this issue and promote cross-border mobility for certified practitioners , the SADC RAC Association has set up a regional database , accessible via the SADC website . Basson describes how this new system would work : " Practitioners registered in Namibia or other SADC countries will be included in this regional database . This will allow employers and regulatory bodies to easily verify if a practitioner is in good standing . For instance , if a technician from South Africa works in
Namibia their registration status can be easily checked through the link to the SADC database ."
Once a practitioner is registered , the local association reports back to the relevant government authority , confirming the individual ’ s qualifications and their authorised status as a gas practitioner . " This ensures that we have a system in place that allows for proper tracking and monitoring of practitioners across different countries ," Basson says .
Basson also emphasises the importance of categorising practitioners based on their competencies . " In South Africa , for example , practitioners are classified into categories based on their skill levels and the types of systems they are authorised to work on ," he explains . He outlines how this categorisation will extend to the new regional system , ensuring consistency across borders . " A practitioner in Category A can issue CoCs for smaller systems , while those in higher categories ( B and C ) can sign off on larger , more complex installations ," he says .
" In the past , technicians with years of experience would be able to issue a CoC for an air-conditioning unit , even if they hadn ’ t formally been trained or certified . However , now we ensure that only those with the appropriate qualifications and experience are authorised to issue CoCs for certain types of installations ."
The introduction of electronic CoCs was another focal point of the discussion . " In South Africa , we have moved to an electronic CoC system , which can be accessed on mobile devices . This modernised approach makes it easier to track and verify CoCs in real time ," Basson explains . The electronic CoC is valid for three years , and if any work is done on the gas system after the initial certification , a new CoC must be issued , which supersedes the original one .
" The CoC must be issued by the authorised gas practitioner after the installation , repair or maintenance of a gas appliance or refrigeration system ," Basson clarifies . He points out that the importance of issuing a valid CoC is underpinned by safety regulations . " If any work is carried out on the system after the CoC has been issued , a new one must be created to ensure that the system is still compliant with safety standards ."
The development of training materials to align with statutory requirements from country to country – and this was another important area of focus . " Each country has its own regulatory framework , and while the core training materials remain consistent , some adjustments must be made to comply with specific national regulations ," Basson says . This customisation is crucial to ensuring that the training is relevant and effective in each jurisdiction . RACA
“ According to Basson , the new standardised training materials were crucial in ensuring that practitioners across the country received consistent , high-quality training .”
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