STEK Certificate

About the STEK certificate

Before 2010, the STEK certificate was the standard certification in the Netherlands for mechanics and installers who worked with refrigeration technologies, such as those used in air conditioners. In 2010, the European F-gases regulation was introduced and mechanics and installers working with refrigeration technologies must obtain an F-gases certificate. The F-gases certificate has replaced the STEK certificate.

STEK mechanics and installers could exchange their STEK certificate for an F-gases certificate in the period following the introduction of the F-gases certificate. The STEK certificate was recognized under the EU regulation.

STEK certification and F-gases

The meaning of STEK is "Stichting Emissiepreventie Koudetechniek" and stands for the foundation that was established in 1992. The foundation focuses on the refrigeration sector within the Dutch market. Before the introduction of the F-gases regulation, STEK was the organization for certifications within this sector.

Meanwhile, the STEK certificates no longer exist. These certificates were valid for 5 years and all STEK certificates have now expired. Persons wishing to obtain a STEK certificate and work with refrigerants now need an F-gases certificate instead of a STEK certificate.

The STEK foundation does still exist and, in addition to PBNA, is an examination agency that administers F-gas exams.

PBNA and STEK

STEK has traditionally been the Dutch organization dedicated to the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Because STEK is so intertwined with refrigeration technology, people often still talk about "getting your STEK certificate or STEK diploma. STEK certifications no longer exist, but you can get your F-gases certificate from STEK, as well as from PBNA. At both agencies, you obtain the F-gases certificate according to the BRL 200 guidelines for personal F-gases certification.

It does not matter whether you take the F-gas exam at STEK or at PBNA. You take the exam according to the guidelines of the BRL 200, moreover, both STEK and PBNA are recognized exam agencies.

There are, however, differences in how PBNA and STEK administer the exams. If you choose to take the exam through STEK, you typically take both your theory and practical exams on the same day. br />

With PBNA, you take your theory and practical exams at different times, which has some advantages:

✔ You can fully focus on the theory or practical exam
✔ You can schedule the theory exam at one of 60+ locations in the Netherlands
✔ Fail the theory exam? Then you can retake it very quickly and don't have to wait for a newly scheduled practice day. The average pass rate for an exam is around 79%.

F-gases category 1 and 2

STEK exams have been replaced by category 1 and 2 F-gases exams. Categories 3 and 4 also exist, but are less common for mechanics and installers working with stationary refrigeration systems.

The main difference between F-gases category 1 and category 2, is in the activities you are allowed to perform with the obtained certificate. An F-gases category 1 certificate allows you to open refrigeration systems, recover F-gases and work with more than 3 kilograms of refrigerant.

An F-gases category 2 certificate allows you to perform work on installations with less than 3 kilograms of refrigerant and does not allow the refrigeration circuit to be opened. For most technicians, this is sufficient for basic maintenance and service. You may perform most work on common installations in homes.