As EU Member States are in the critical phase of implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2215, the Real Alternatives Consortium urges national governments and ministries to adopt the Real Alternatives certification scheme as a reference framework for the qualification and upskilling of personnel handling alternative refrigerants
The Real Alternatives programme is a pan-European training and certification initiative focused on low-GWP refrigerants, including HFOs, hydrocarbons, CO₂, and ammonia. Developed in cooperation with over 25 European and international institutions, the programme provides harmonised training materials, risk-based safety guidelines, and a certification pathway that is fully aligned with the requirements set forth in the new F-gas Regulation.
With more than 3,100 certificates already issued across 23 countries, Real Alternatives represents a mature, field-tested model for national implementation. It enables EU Member States to meet the new requirements for certification of personnel under Article 10 and Annex I of the Regulation.
“Governments need reliable, ready-to-implement frameworks to meet EU compliance deadlines. Real Alternatives is that solution: multilingual, widely adopted, and built by experts,” said Marco Buoni, General Secretary of Associazione Tecnici del Freddo – ATF and lead project manager for the Consortium.
Key benefits for National Authorities:
- Alignment with Regulation 2024/2215, including certification A1/A2 for hydrocarbons and certification B for CO₂
- Material already translated into over 20 languages and adopted in diverse regulatory environments
- Organisation of Train-the-Trainer events to ensure consistency and scalability across Europe
Real Alternatives is already being used by numerous institutional bodies to draft or support national decrees. It equips technicians with vital knowledge and tools, from safe handling practices to standardized procedures, helping accelerate the safe transition away from high-GWP fluorinated gases.
“This is a unique opportunity for governments to adopt a proven scheme that safeguards both the climate and workforce safety. We call on all ministries of environment and competent authorities to recognise Real Alternatives certifications as official evidence of compliance.” Continues Marco Buoni.
Following the successful Train-the-Trainer event at IKKE in Duisburg, Germany, a new session in October 2025 is now being organised at PROZON’s new training centre in Grabce Józefpolskie, Poland, further expanding the reach and impact of this key European initiative.
Contact & Resources:
For support in integrating Real Alternatives into national frameworks, please contact:
📧 info@realalternatives.eu . For more information, visit 🌐 www.realalternatives.eu
Casale Monferrato, 30th June 2025
Real Alternatives Consortium