Towards the Reduction of HFC Substances in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector


Tunisia ratified the Kigali amendment on August 27, 2021, and is committed to reducing the consumption of refrigerants in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, and the adoption of new technologies based on low global warming refrigerants, through several activities including the following:

As part of the establishment of a national certification system for technicians and service companies operating in the refrigeration & air conditioning (RAC) sector, and with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development (UNIDO), the National Ozone Unit (UNO) organized during the first half of 2024, three (03) certification sessions according to the European F-Gas regulations (Regulation 2067/2015), category I, for the benefit three (03) groups of RAC trainers from the training centers of the Tunisian Vocational Training Agency (ATFP).

These certification sessions took place in May and June 2024, and were provided by the Italian training center “Centro Studi Galileo: CSG”.

In total, Twenty-nine (29) trainers from the RAC sector were certified in 2024 and 141 trainers certified from 2016 until 2024 according to the European F-Gas regulation (Regulation 2067/2015), category I.

During the first half of 2024, six (06) training sessions for technicians operating in the RAC sector on good practices for handling fluorinated refrigerants were trained for service companies operating in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector (RAC).

From 2021 until the first half of 2024, 386 RAC technicians have been trained on good practices for handling fluorinated refrigerants, in order to prepare for their certifications. The graph below shows the distribution of technicians trained by training center.

Tunisia is developing a recovery, recycling and reclaiming centre (RRR project) for fluorinated refrigerants with the support of UNIDO. In this context, two (02) RRR centers were acquired consisting of two reclaiming units, recovery machines, recovery bottles and tools necessary for recovery and refrigeration service. The technical-economic model as well as the regulatory framework are being developed for the correct management of fluorinated refrigerants.

In this context, a refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment (RACHP) monitoring logbook was developed and distributed to RAC companies and to training centers.

As part of the preparations for the creation of a regional training center of excellence in refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC), a meeting was organized on April 2, 2024, with the Stakeholders (RAC Association, Ministry of Industry, training centers, national experts) and with the presence of the Director General of ANPE and the representative of UNIDO in Tunisia.

The consultant Mr. Madi Sakande appointed by UNIDO to help Tunisia create this center, exchanged information and knowledge with the participants about the creation of this center.

Youssef Hammami

Youssef HAMMAMI, is an Engineer in Process Engineering graduated from the School of Engineers of Gabès (Tunisia) in 1994.
He obtained the Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA = Master) in Chemical Process Engineering (equivalent to the Master) in 1999.
In 1995, he joined the National Agency for the Protection of the Environment /Ministry of Environment, and held the positions of “Expert Environmental Controller”.
From 2000, he was appointed assistant to the Director of the Ozone Office, in charge of technical monitoring of industrial unit conversion projects (elimination of CFCs/CH3Br, Halons, etc.) and the Tunisia country program.
In 2005, he was appointed “Evaluator of environmental impact studies” at the same time as his position in the Ozone Office.
During 2009-2013, temporary teacher in a university establishment (chemical reactors, fluid mechanics, material transfer).
From 2013, and until now he holds the position of “Coordinator of the National Ozone Unit of Tunisia”, and National Focal Point of the Montreal Protocol and the Vienna Convention.
In 2019, it became certified in the RAC sector, Category I, according to European regulation EU 2015/2067.