FAQ
Documentation and forms
Diagram of the certification procedure
Assessment of the level of knowledge and practical skills
Decision and certification
Supervision of the certificate holder and recertification
Rights and responsibilities of the certified person
Appeals and complaints
Additional capabilities
Certificate register
Accreditation
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In the rapidly growing refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry, professional competence and skills are key to ensuring high quality services and work safety. Central Refrigeration Center COCH in Krakow offers certification of the competence of people working in this field, confirming their qualifications in accordance with the highest industry standards and international standards, including PN-EN 13313 standard and ISO 22712:2023.
Our certification is not only a formal confirmation of one's skills, but also a recognition of professionalism and commitment to professional development. Through our certification programs, professionals can not only gain a competitive advantage, but also improve their skills, resulting in better professional performance and customer satisfaction.
What qualifications are covered by EN 13313 certification?
Norm PN-EN 13313 specifies requirements for certifying the competencies of personnel working in the field of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps. The Central Center of Refrigeration (COCH) in Krakow offers certification for specialists in three main areas:
Heat Pump Specialists: Individuals with specialized knowledge and skills in the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of heat pumps, in accordance with technical requirements and standards.
Air Conditioning Specialists: Professionals involved in the design, installation, maintenance, and servicing of air conditioning systems, ensuring comfortable thermal conditions in buildings and other facilities.
Refrigeration Specialists: Individuals possessing advanced technical knowledge and practical skills in refrigeration, including design, production, installation, maintenance, and diagnostics of refrigeration systems.
Certification Levels Offered by COCH:
BA (Basic Appreciation): Basic understanding of the concepts related to the respective field, enabling performance of fundamental professional tasks.
WK (Working Knowledge): Practical and theoretical knowledge sufficient to perform professional tasks under supervision.
FO (Fully Operational): Full operational capability to independently carry out complex professional tasks without supervision.
LE (Leading Edge): Advanced specialized knowledge and skills allowing for innovative approaches and solutions within the field.
Certification according to PN-EN 13313 ensures high-quality services and workplace safety in the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump industry. We invite you to take advantage of our certification services, tailored to market needs and supporting professional development in these critical technical fields.
What qualifications are covered by ISO 22712:2023 certification
Certification of Competence According to ISO 22712:2023 in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pumps at Central Refrigeration Center COCH
Our certification program offers various levels of skills to meet the requirements of industry professionals:
Basic Appreciation Level (BA):
- Leak testing.
- Refrigerant removal.
- Execution of tasks specified in ISO 22712:2023, PN-EN ISO 22712:2023-09 for specific tables (A, D, E, F).
Working Knowledge Level (WK):
- All tasks at the Basic Appreciation level.
- Commissioning and operational inspection.
- Operation and cessation of operation.
Fully Operational Level (FO):
- All tasks at the Working Knowledge level.
- Installation and prefabrication.
- Acceptance and general maintenance.
- Circulation maintenance and dismantling.
Leading Edge Level (LE):
- Specialized skills such as design and execution of tasks specified in ISO 22712:2023, PN-EN ISO 22712:2023-09, including tables A.2 and A.6.
Each certification level corresponds to increasing responsibilities and requirements, ensuring compliance with the latest standards for safety, environmental protection, and energy efficiency. COCH certifications signify high professional competence, strengthening your position in the job market and building trust with clients.
What regulations govern the certification of competence?
Regulations Governing Competence Certification in Refrigeration, Heat Pumps, and Air Conditioning
Since December 1, 2014, and from 2023 onwards, the certification of individuals in the field of refrigeration, heat pumps, and air conditioning is governed by specific regulations and international standards:
PN-EN ISO/IEC 17024:2012 – Standard for conformity assessment. It defines general requirements for bodies certifying persons, ensuring high standards and credibility in the certification process.
PN-EN 13313:2011 – Standard for competence certification of personnel in refrigeration, heat pumps, and air conditioning. It specifies the qualifications and skills required to perform specific tasks within the industry.
From 2023:
ISO 22712:2023 – Standard for personnel competence in refrigeration systems and heat pumps. This latest standard outlines requirements for the qualifications, skills, and experience of workers involved in the installation, operation, maintenance, and dismantling of refrigeration systems.
PN-EN ISO 22712:2023-09 – European standard supplementing ISO 22712:2023, detailing specific requirements for the European market regarding personnel competence in refrigeration installations and heat pumps.
The certification body operating in this field is accredited by the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA), confirming its compliance with international standards and enabling mutual recognition of certificates worldwide. These regulations ensure that competence certification is conducted in full compliance with high-quality and safety standards, contributing to the professionalism and efficiency of workers in the refrigeration, heat pumps, and air conditioning industry.
What does the certification procedure cover?
The certification process for competence certification in refrigeration, heat pumps, and air conditioning involves several stages:
Candidate Qualification: The process begins with an assessment of the qualifications and experience of candidates applying for certification. Their educational documents, professional experience, and any other required documents confirming their preparation for work in the industry are verified.
Knowledge and Skills Assessment (Examination): Candidates undergo an examination to assess their theoretical knowledge and practical skills according to the requirements specified in relevant standards such as PN-EN 13313:2011, ISO 22712:2023, and PN-EN ISO/IEC 17024:2012. The examination may include written tests, practical laboratory tasks, or simulated practical scenarios.
Issuance of Certificate: Upon successful completion of the examination and confirmation of meeting all certification requirements, the certifying body issues a certificate confirming the holder’s competencies in specific areas of activity, such as installation, maintenance, or dismantling of refrigeration equipment and heat pumps.
Certificate Holder Supervision: The certification process also includes supervision of certificate holders to ensure they maintain a high level of skills and knowledge in line with applicable standards. This supervision may involve audits, regular refresher training, and assessment of practical skills in the workplace.
Recertification: Certification is periodically mandatory, requiring certificate holders to undergo recertification after a specified period. This procedure aims to confirm that certificate holders still meet the requirements for knowledge, skills, and experience in their field.
These certification stages ensure high quality and standards in the work of individuals involved in refrigeration, heat pumps, and air conditioning, contributing to safety, energy efficiency, and environmental protection.
Detailed information about the certification process
Application and qualification of candidates for certification
Qualification requirements for applicants at different levels of competence:
Basic Appreciation (BA) Level:
- Education: Completion of at least basic vocational school education.
- Training: Completed training in basic refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump fundamentals OR minimum 1 year of practical experience in the operation or installation of refrigeration systems.
Working Knowledge (WK) Level:
- Education: Completion of at least basic vocational school education.
- Training: Specialized training including leak testing, commissioning, operational inspection, operation, and shutdown of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump systems OR minimum 1 year of practical experience in the operation or installation of such systems.
Fully Operational (FO) Level:
- Education: Completion of at least secondary school education (matura).
- Training: Specialized training including leak testing, commissioning, operational inspection, operation, installation, prefabrication, acceptance testing, general maintenance, circulation maintenance, dismantling, refrigerant removal from refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump systems OR minimum 3 years of practical experience in the installation, commissioning, operation, operational inspections, maintenance, and refrigerant removal.
Leading Edge (LE) Level:
- Education: Higher technical education OR secondary technical education (matura).
- Experience: Minimum 3 years of professional experience in the design of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump equipment and systems.
- Additional Requirements: Specialized training in operational safety, occupational health and safety regulations, environmental protection, and energy efficiency.
These qualification requirements ensure that candidates possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to perform tasks competently and safely in the field of refrigeration, heat pumps, and air conditioning at each specified level of certification.
Assessment of the level of knowledge and practical skills
Certification Exam According to PN-EN 13313:2011:
Theoretical Exam:
- The theoretical exam is conducted in written form and assesses knowledge according to the requirements of PN-EN 13313:2011, tailored to different levels of competency.
- A written (theoretical) exam is not required for candidates with education in refrigeration, air conditioning, or heat pumps at the level of higher technical school.
Practical Exam:
- The practical exam evaluates candidates’ practical skills in performing specific professional tasks as defined by PN-EN 13313:2011.
- A positive result in the practical exam is necessary to obtain certification.
- Supplementary materials are available in the Personnel Certification Department for individuals applying for competency certification in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps.
Certification Exam According to PN-EN ISO 22712:2023:
Theoretical Exam:
- The theoretical exam is conducted in written form and assesses knowledge according to the requirements of ISO 22712:2023-09, PN-EN ISO 22712:2023, tailored to different levels of competency.
- A written (theoretical) exam is not required for candidates with education in refrigeration, air conditioning, or heat pumps at the level of higher technical school.
Practical Exam:
- The practical exam assesses candidates’ practical skills in performing specific professional tasks as defined by ISO 22712:2023, PN-EN ISO 22712:2023-09.
- The practical exam includes practical tasks selected according to the sets of practical tasks, covering requirements specified in the standards.
This structured approach ensures that candidates are evaluated comprehensively and objectively based on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills required by the respective standards for certification in refrigeration, heat pumps, and air conditioning.
Decision and certification
The decision to certify and grant the certificate is made after the applicant has met all the requirements of the certification procedure (submission of the application, positive result of the exam, payment of the required fees, signing of the contract).
The validity period of the certificate is 5 years.
Supervision of the certificate holder and recertification
Jednostka certyfikująca sprawuje nadzór nad posiadaczem certyfikatu, zapewniając jego zgodność z obowiązującymi standardami i wymaganiami. Certyfikaty mają okres ważności 5 lat, po którym można ubiegać się o ponowną certyfikację, spełniając warunki nadzoru i aktualizacji wiedzy zawodowej.
Rights and responsibilities of the certified person
Obligations of Certified Person
The certified person commits to using the certificate according to its intended purpose. During the validity period of the certificate, the certified person is obligated to:
Perform work within the scope defined by the certificate and document it using entries in the “Professional Experience Card,” provided with the certificate. Temporary breaks in work are allowed, but not exceeding a cumulative total of 2.5 years.
Document participation in at least 1 training session covering applicable legal regulations and standards related to safety.
Gather and retain records of all complaints affecting activities covered by the scope of the competency certificate, detailing how they were addressed, and provide them to the certifying body as part of oversight.
Update their correspondence address as necessary.
At the midpoint of the certificate’s validity period, the certified person must provide the certifying body with the data and information required in point 2.
Upon expiration of the certificate’s validity period, the certified person may apply for recertification after meeting supervision requirements.
Odwołania i Skargi
Information on the procedure for handling complaints and appeals can be found at this link.
Additional capabilities
Certification of personnel to make non-separable connections - soldererer
Polish safety mark for your devices
Refrigeration competence according to EN 13313 - training course
European appliance quality mark, the key to the European market for your products
Why Choose COCH Certification?
Certification of competence in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps is a key step in ensuring quality service and installation safety.
Accreditation
Quality accreditation - a guarantee of trust
The Certification Department is accredited AC 036 and AC 056 by the Polish Accreditation Center and specializes in the certification of refrigeration destination products and personnel competence in the field of refrigeration.
Our team consists of qualified and experienced specialists who offer comprehensive assistance in the certification preparation and certification process, supervision and personnel competence development. With our services, we provide customers with reliable and professional service at every stage of cooperation.