Confirm your HVACR qualifications: personnel competence certification at COCH under PN-EN ISO 22712

The dynamic growth of the heat pump, air-conditioning and refrigeration market presents specialists with new challenges. Besides practical experience, formal confirmation of skills recognised internationally is increasingly important. The Central Refrigeration Centre “COCH” in Kraków offers personnel certification in accordance with the latest standard PN-EN ISO 22712.

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In the HVACR industry (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration), F-gas or electrical (SEP) permits alone are often not enough to comprehensively confirm a professional’s knowledge. The answer is the international standard ISO 22712, which replaced EN 13313 and introduced major changes in the competence assessment system.

Why choose PN-EN ISO 22712?

The new standard is not just a number change. It is a comprehensive verification system covering a wide range of knowledge – from thermodynamics, through assembly and component service, to soft skills (communication with the client).

A key novelty in ISO 22712 is the extension of requirements to handling natural and flammable refrigerants, such as:

• Carbon dioxide (R744 – CO2),
• Ammonia (R717),
• Hydrocarbons (e.g. propane R290).

This responds to market trends and environmental regulations driving the move away from synthetic refrigerants.

4 competence levels – matched to your experience

Certification at COCH allows confirmation of qualifications at one of four levels, depending on education and work experience:

1. BA (Basic Appreciation) – basic level: for people with general knowledge who can discuss main issues.
2. WK (Working Knowledge) – intermediate level: for practitioners directly involved in installation and service work.
3. FO (Fully Operational) – high (full) level: for specialists independently performing most activities (installation, service, commissioning).
4. LE (Leading Edge) – specialist level: for experts and designers dealing with the most complex tasks and technology development.

Quality guarantee and certificate recognition

Certification at the Central Refrigeration Centre “COCH” guarantees the highest quality. The certification programme is covered by accreditation of the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) – No. AC 056.

What does that mean for you?

• Your certificate is recognised internationally (thanks to IAF/EA agreements).
• You gain a competitive edge on the local and foreign market.
• You build trust among investors, employers and clients looking for proven professionals.

What does the certification process look like?

The procedure at COCH is transparent and consists of several steps:

1. Application: Submission of documents confirming education and experience.
2. Verification: Assessment of the application and qualification to the appropriate level (BA, WK, FO or LE).
3. Examination: Check of theoretical knowledge and practical skills (e.g. on CO2 or ammonia installations).
4. Certificate: Issue of the document and entry in the register.

Invest in your professional future

Holding a certificate compliant with PN-EN ISO 22712 proves that you are a specialist who keeps up with technological change and cares about the safety and energy efficiency of installations.

Want to learn more?
Contact the Personnel Certification Department at COCH in Kraków:
📧 E-mail: cert@coch.pl
📞 Tel: +48 667 600 609
🌐 COCH home page

Based on the article: “Personnel competences in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps according to ISO 22712”, by Eng. Miłosz Gratkowski and Eng. Bogdan Szczepański (Rynek Instalacyjny, October 2025).