Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Notice of Revocation of a Technician Certification Program

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5691-5]

Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Notice of Revocation of a

Technician Certification Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of revocation.

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SUMMARY: Through this action EPA is announcing the revocation of

Refrigerant Certification Services (RCS) of Houston, Texas, previously

approved to provide the technician certification exam in accordance

with the regulations promulgated at 40 CFR part 82 subpart F. RCS was

issued a letter of revocation on February 13, 1997, that included an

explanation of the basis for EPA's decision.

This program has not complied with the requirements established for

technician certification programs pursuant to section 608 of the Clean

Air Act Amendments (the Act). In accordance with those requirements,

all approved technician certification programs must provide the

certification test and issue credentials consistent with the applicable

requirements. Failure to comply with any of the requirements may result

in revocation. RCS has been indicted for criminal actions directly

related to the administration of the section 608 Technician

Certification Program.

In accordance with 40 CFR 82.161(e), EPA revoked approval of RCS to

offer the section 608 Technician Certification Program on February 13,

1997. RCS is no longer authorized to certify technicians or issue valid

certification credentials.

The criminal indictment against RCS and the three related

indictments against RCS representatives are based on information

regarding administration of certification test and inappropriate

issuance of credentials. Therefore, most technicians certified by RCS

during the period that the program operated an EPA-approved program

will remain certified in accordance with 40 CFR section 82.161(a).

Technicians that were not properly certified by RCS and/or were issued

credentials indicating that such certification did occur properly will

be contacted by EPA. Technicians that comprise this subset either

participated in testing events proctored by Herman E Brodzenski or were

in contact with Mr. Brodzenski regarding the issuance of certification

credentials. EPA would like to clarify that not every technician that

participated in testing events administered by Mr. Brodzenski may be

contacted by EPA. However, a group of approximately 100 technicians

that either participated in a testing event or requested the issuance

of certification credentials from Mr. Brodzenski will be contacted

regarding whether or not these individuals are properly certified.

DATE: Refrigerant Certification Services had their approval to offer a

technician certification program revoked, effective February 13, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Stendebach, Program Implementation

Branch, Stratospheric Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric

Programs, Office of Air and Radiation (6205-J), 401 M Street, SW.,

Washington, DC 20460, 202/233-9117. The Stratospheric Ozone Information

Hotline at 1-800-296-1996 can also be contacted for further

information.

Dated: February 13, 1997.

Paul M. Stolpman,

Director, Office Of Atmospheric Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-4331 Filed 2-20-97; 8:45 am]

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