AC 056In the rapidly developing refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector, professional competence is essential for service quality and workplace safety. COCH Kraków offers personnel competence certification confirming qualifications against international standards — ISO 22712:2023 (PN-EN ISO 22712:2023-09).
The COCH Certification Body performs independent assessment of knowledge and skills and issues accredited competence certificates for installers, service technicians and designers in the HVACR sector. We operate under Polish Centre for Accreditation certificate AC 056 in accordance with PN-EN ISO/IEC 17024.
Certification under PN-EN ISO 22712:2023-09 covers four competence levels (BA · WK · FO · LE) and refrigerant categories including synthetic F-gases, flammable refrigerants (e.g. R290), CO2 (R744) and ammonia (R717). Assessment combines a written theoretical exam with a practical skills test.
After a positive decision a certificate is issued for 5 years, with surveillance during validity (including midpoint submission of experience evidence) and the option of re-certification.
Transition notice: PN-EN 13313:2011 has been withdrawn and replaced by PN-EN ISO 22712:2023-09. New certificates are issued under ISO 22712 only. Certificates issued under EN 13313 remain valid until expiry.
Personnel certification (AC 056) is distinct from product certification (AC 036), from F-gas legal certificates (typically UDT), and from brazing (lutowacz) personnel certification — see the FAQ and related services.
Four competence levels under PN-EN ISO 22712:2023-09, qualification pathways, refrigerant categories, knowledge areas and lifecycle tasks.
Knowledge and experience needed to discuss the main elements of skills with others — e.g. leak checking, refrigerant recovery and tasks indicated in ISO 22712.
Knowledge and experience required for direct participation in decisions and activities — e.g. leak checking, refrigerant recovery, commissioning, operating inspection, operation and shut-down.
Knowledge and experience required to independently perform most activities — including assembly, prefabrication, acceptance, general and circuit maintenance, dismantling and refrigerant recovery.
Knowledge and experience required to further develop the skills area — e.g. system design and related tasks indicated in ISO 22712.
Competency certification for personnel working with fluorinated greenhouse gases (HFC, HFO, SZWO) in refrigeration and air conditioning.
Competency certification for flammable natural refrigerants, e.g. hydrocarbons such as R290 (propane).
Personnel competency certification for installations using carbon dioxide (R744).
Personnel competency certification for ammonia (R717) systems.
Theoretical and practical assessment covers the following areas:
Cooling states, pressure-enthalpy diagrams and cycles.
Compressors, condensers, evaporators and related assemblies.
Pipework, permanent joints and valve configurations.
Protective devices and safety-related equipment.
Properties of refrigerants and related working fluids.
Technical communication relevant to certified activities.
Depending on the competence level, tasks indicated in ISO 22712 may include:
From application and exams through the certification decision to surveillance and re-certification.
Overview of the main stages — details of each step are listed below.
1Application with annexes
The candidate submits the certification application together with annexes documenting education and professional practice.
Choosing the right competence level, the annexes to the application, and the dates that apply during the 5-year validity period.
The competence level and the refrigerant category decide what the examination covers and what the certificate will state. Settle both before the application — together with the evidence of education, practice and training required for the chosen level under PN-EN ISO 22712.
Download the application, competence certification programme and related declarations, or submit the application online. Completed documents should be sent to certyfikacja@coch.pl.
Send completed documents to certyfikacja@coch.pl
Information on personnel certification fees can be obtained individually. Please send your inquiry to: certyfikacja@coch.pl
Information on the complaints and appeals procedure is available here: Complaints and appeals
Not sure which competence level to choose or how to document practice? Call or email the certification office.
Levels, refrigerants, validity, fees, the rights and obligations of certified persons, and how this differs from product certification, F-gas certificates and brazing certification.
The Polish accreditation and conformity assessment market is governed by the Act of 13 April 2016 on conformity assessment and market surveillance systems, which designates PCA as the sole national accreditation body.
The Personnel Certification Body holds PCA accreditation AC 056 and specializes in certifying personnel qualifications in accordance with ISO 22712.
PCA · Accredited body AC 056
Our specialists support candidates through preparation, examination, certification and surveillance. PCA accreditation AC 056 underpins the reliability of issued competence certificates.
Questions about competence levels, documents, exam sessions or next steps.
mgr Miłosz Gratkowski
Head of Certification Body
How to find us
Centralny Ośrodek Chłodnictwa „COCH”
ul. Juliusza Lea 116, 30-133 Kraków
Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 18:00
Entrance from Juliusza Lea Street. Parking available on site for clients.
Send an application or call the certification office. We will advise on the competence level, documents and next steps.
