Driving Consistent and High-Quality Training on Alternative Refrigerants Across Europe
Real Alternatives is an official European Training Programme providing training and a certification system on low GWP alternative refrigerants (HFOs, Hydrocarbons, Carbon Dioxide and Ammonia). The trainings are constantly delivered to both European trainers and professionals and the training materials are available in over 20 languages and implemented in 23 countries, ensuring widespread accessibility.
In the past 7 years, the Project has achieved significant milestones, establishing a strong network of stakeholders that actively contribute to developing updated and standardized training across nearly all EU Member States. Today, we represent 25 associations including International and European bodies such as IIR (International Institute of Refrigeration) and AREA (Air conditioning and Refrigeration European Association for contractors) along with numerous training providers. Please refer to the Annex to consult the full list of partners.
As the refrigeration and air conditioning sector transitions to the phase out of fluorinated gases, the Real Alternatives initiative continues to play a crucial role in harmonizing training and certification on across Europe.
With the adoption of the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2215, the need for consistent, high-quality training
has never been more critical.
A Ready-to-Use Framework for National Decrees
By providing structured training materials, certification schemes, and guidance for national implementation, the initiative ensures that technicians and trainers are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and tools to safely handle low-GWP refrigerants. This includes risk assessment, minimum distances for safe operations,
necessary tools, and standardized procedures—all critical components in ensuring safety and efficiency in real-world applications.
As Member States work toward the implementation of EU Reg. 2024/2215, Real Alternativesprovides a valuable model for national training and certification schemes. Many of our partners are directly engaged with institutional bodies and regulatory authorities, actively contributing to the development of national laws that will shape the future of refrigeration training in their respective countries.
Since 2019, we have been providing this training, with nearly 3,000 certificates already issued, demonstrating
the widespread adoption and effectiveness of our approach across Europe.
The structured approach provided by Real Alternatives offers a ready-to-adopt framework that can be applied at a national level to ensure compliance with EU requirements.
The Real Alternatives training and assessment schemes is on line with the Annex I of the new EU F-gas Certification Implementing Act 2024/2215 for HC and CO2 and fulfils the criteria of Art 10 point “a” of the same regulation.
Harmonizing Training Through the Train-the-Trainer Program
A key component of this work is the Train-the-Trainer program, which focuses on harmonizing teaching methodologies and certification standards. This initiative is essential in supporting countries as they draft their national certification schemes, ensuring alignment with EU regulations and fostering a uniform approach to refrigerant training.
The currently ongoing Train-the-Trainer session at IKKE training centre in Duisburg, Germany which will run from the 24th of February to the 28th, serves as an excellent opportunity for partners to experience first-hand well-established training structures that can be replicated in their own countries. By seeing exemplary training facilities, methodologies, and best practices in action, stakeholders can gain valuable insights into how to implement similar programs within their national frameworks.
Call to Action: A Resource for EU Decision Makers
With its continued success and growing impact, Real Alternatives stands as a cornerstone in the industry’s
transition towards sustainable and safe refrigerant best practices. By working closely with partners and
stakeholders, the initiative is shaping the future of refrigeration training across Europe, reinforcing both
environmental goals and workforce development.
We urge EU decision-makers, particularly those in the Ministries of Environment of the 27 EU Member
States, to incorporate REAL Alternatives’ training materials when drafting their national decrees for the
following equivalences:
- the Real Alternatives HC certificate as evidence for the additional training that existing F-Gas certified
personnel will have to undergo to comply with the provisions of A1/A2 certification - the Real Alternative CO2 certificate as evidence for obtaining certification B under regulation 2025/2215
We remain at disposal, please contact the Project Management Team at info@realalternatives.eu and visit our website at www.realalternatives.eu
Duisburg, 24th February 2025
Real Alternatives Consortium