The Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide says it's the first Section 609 certification provider to certify a new technician-training program to SAE J2845 under the SAE J2911 program that covers the new (HFO) R-1234yf refrigerant .

In response to the introduction of the new refrigerant (HFO) R-1234yf and its unique service procedures, SAE International has created new service and training standards for mobile A/C technicians, explains Elvis L. Hoffpauir, MACS Worldwide president and chief operating officer.

"While the United States Environmental Protection Agency has yet to announce any changes to Section 609 programs, MACS has met the SAE standard and is ready to introduce the new program when any new federal requirements are announced."

In 2011, after the first stage of a European Union ban went into effect on mobile refrigerants with a global warming potential greater than 150 in new car and light-truck platforms, it was widely believed that (HFO) R-1234yf would eventually become the new standard in the U.S.

In February 2011, the U.S. EPA approved HFO-1234yf, a product of Honeywell and DuPont, as a refrigerant for air conditioners in new cars and light trucks.

SAE International created the J2911 and J2845 standards in response to changes in the refrigerants used in mobile A/C systems, SAE Interior Climate Control Standards Committee (ICCSC) co-chairman Ward Atkinson explains.

Related Stories:

Beyond R-134a: What's Next for Mobile A/C Refrigerants?