Section 609 of the United States Clean Air Act requiring all service technicians to be certified in proper refrigerant recovery and recycling has been law since 1990, yet many service professionals still are unaware of the requirements or have ignored them. Section 609 is a U.S. requirement and is not recognized by other countries.
Service industry members can avoid serious fines by making sure all technicians are Section 609 certified. The cost for testing and credentials is just $15. Visit the MACS certification page http://www.macsw.org/certification.php for comprehensive information about the law and the certification process.
Individuals who need to replace MACS or IMACA Section 609 credentials can visit http://www.macsw.org/replacementcard.php. There is a $10 charge for replacement credentials.
Enforcement of the U.S. Clean Air Act is real! Current compliance cases and fines imposed can be found online at: http://63.160.3.204/echo/compliance_report_icis.html. Fines of $35,000 per infraction can be levied.
To report an entity who is illegally venting refrigerant, visit http://www.macsw.org/replacementcard.php to link to the EPA’s reporting page.
Founded in 1981, the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) is the leading non-profit trade association for the mobile air conditioning, heating and engine cooling system segment of the automotive aftermarket. MACS represents a growing membership in North America and 47 countries around the world, and provides information and services to more than 60,000 industry shops, suppliers and technicians. The Society serves the industry through informational tools, self-paced educational materials, leader-led training clinics, advocacy and other member services. Since 1991, MACS has assisted more than 600,000 technicians to comply with 1990 Clean Air Act requirements for certification in refrigerant recovery and recycling to protect the environment. To learn more about MACS and its 28th annual Convention and Trade Show, Current Events in Orlando, FL, January 31 – February 2, 2008, visit www.macsw.org
