How to verify a Plumber / HVAC CV — official standards
Plumber and HVAC CVs (ISCO 7126 for plumbers, ISCO 7127 for A/C and refrigeration mechanics) are among the hardest trade profiles to assess on paper. Job titles travel badly across borders, "refrigeration experience" can mean anything from leak checking to full system commissioning, and the documents that actually matter — a personal F-gas certificate, a brazer qualification — are often missing, expired or described in one vague line.
The standards themselves are specific: Regulation (EU) 2024/573 with personnel categories I–IV, EN 378 for refrigeration system safety, EN 806 for drinking-water installations, EN 12828 for heating systems, and EN ISO 13585 for brazing. A rigorous check maps each claim on the CV to a named standard, a document number and an expiry date. WorkerProof does this automatically and verifies every CV three times.
What a strong CV must contain
Under Regulation (EU) 2024/573 anyone installing, servicing or recovering refrigerants needs a personal certificate, from category I (all activities) down to category IV (leak checking only). The CV should name the category, not just "F-gas certified".
EN 378 classifies refrigerants by flammability and toxicity, so working with A2L or A3 refrigerants is not the same as working with A1. Look for named refrigerants and evidence of handling refrigerant transfer pumps and recovery equipment.
Copper joints in refrigeration and pipework must stay tight under pressure for years, so a valid EN ISO 13585 brazer qualification matters. Check which base materials and joint types the certificate covers and when it expires.
Plumbing experience should reference EN 806 topics: approved materials, hygiene, flushing procedures and protection against backflow. Vague "sanitary installation" wording without these elements says little about the candidate's standard of work.
For heating and heat-pump work, EN 12828 covers boilers, heat pumps, distribution and safety equipment. A strong CV states which system types and outputs the candidate worked on and whether they handled commissioning or only assembly.
National diplomas differ, but the European Qualifications Framework (levels 1–8) makes them comparable: a Slovenian NPK or vocational diploma, a German Geselle (EQF 4) or Meister (EQF 6) can be positioned on one scale. Ask for the diploma and the stated EQF level.
⚠️ Red flags to watch for
Questions to ask the candidate
- 01Which F-gas certificate category do you hold under Regulation (EU) 2024/573 — I, II, III or IV — and can you show the certificate with number and issue date?
- 02Which refrigerants have you personally worked with, and how do EN 378 charge limits and leak-detection requirements change what you may install in a given room?
- 03Is your EN ISO 13585 brazer qualification still valid, and which base materials and joint types does it cover?
- 04Walk me through how you commission a drinking-water installation under EN 806: materials, flushing and backflow protection.
- 05On a water-based heating system under EN 12828, which safety equipment do you fit and check, and have you commissioned heat pumps as well as boilers?
The official standards behind the score
WorkerProof checks every CV against this verified matrix.
- Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (F-gas — replaces 517/2014)
- Category I–IV personnel certification
- EN 378 (refrigeration systems)
- EN 806 (drinking water)
- EN 12828 (heating)
- EN ISO 13585 (brazing qualification)
Frequently asked questions
Which certificate does an HVAC technician need to work with refrigerants in the EU?
Regulation (EU) 2024/573, which replaces 517/2014, requires a personal certificate for anyone installing, servicing or recovering fluorinated refrigerants. Certificates run from category I, covering all activities, to category IV, covering leak checking only. The category on the certificate defines the scope of work, so it should always be stated on the CV.
How do I compare a foreign plumbing or HVAC diploma with our national qualifications?
The European Qualifications Framework places national qualifications on one scale of levels 1–8, so a Slovenian NPK or vocational diploma, a German Geselle (EQF 4) or a Meister (EQF 6) can be compared directly. WorkerProof checks which documents the candidate actually holds and what level is stated on them. Formal recognition of a qualification remains a matter for the competent national authority.
Is a brazing certificate really necessary for a refrigeration technician?
Brazed copper joints in refrigeration and pipework have to remain tight under pressure for decades, which is why EN ISO 13585 defines a qualification test for brazing personnel. Like welder certificates, it is limited to specific materials and joint types and it expires. If a candidate claims pipework and refrigeration installation, ask for the certificate and its validity date.
What does EN 378 mean for hiring decisions?
EN 378 is the European safety standard for refrigerating systems and heat pumps. It covers refrigerant classification by flammability and toxicity, maximum charge per room, machine-room ventilation and leak-detection requirements. A candidate who can explain these points in practical terms is demonstrating genuine responsibility on site, not just attendance.
How does WorkerProof verify a Plumber / HVAC CV?
We map every claim in the CV against the official standards matrix for the trade — Regulation (EU) 2024/573, EN 378, EN 806, EN 12828 and EN ISO 13585 — and against the ESCO skill profile for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technicians. Each CV is verified three times before you receive the report. WorkerProof verifies documents and stated claims; it does not grant or confirm legal recognition of qualifications.
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