A simplified BSD for used refrigerants

A new CERFA form (15497) merges the BSD and the fiche d'intervention to simplify the management of used refrigerants, an obligation often overlooked but liable to penalties.

Marie Faucon
EHS Consultant
Update : 
12.09.2025
Publication: 
05.03.2016
Contents
Example H2
Request a demo

Obligatory since 2011, the issuing of a waste tracking slip (BSD) when used refrigerants are recovered for treatment is still a little-known requirement that is often not complied with. To reinforce and simplify this formality, a new CERFA form is now available to refrigeration service providers who drain refrigerants. It serves as both an intervention form and a BSD.

The new Cerfa form, numbered 15497, is available on the Service-public.fr website. It is also available in software packages.

Cerfa 15497 form

In application of a decree dated February 29, 2016, this form must now be used by refrigeration engineers, holders of a certificate of capacity :

  1. As an intervention form, during leak checks and operations requiring the handling of refrigerants (with the exception of interventions on vehicle air-conditioning systems).
  2. As a BSD, when recovering used refrigerants for processing.

By eliminating the need to fill out two documents (intervention form + BSD) covering, in part, the same information (in particular, the nature, quantity and destination of the fluid recovered). This form simplifies administrative procedures. It remedies the difficulties encountered by refrigeration professionals in drawing up and monitoring BSDs.

In practice, the Cerfa 15497 form must be completed :

  • By the refrigeration specialist, not the owner of the equipment containing the removed refrigerant

=> For any equipment with an HCFC load (e.g. R22) of over 3 kg, or an HFC load (e.g. R134a, R404a, R407c, R410a...) of over 5 tonnes ofCO2 equivalent, the equipment owner must sign the form and keep a copy for at least 5 years.

  • For a single equipment AND a single refrigerant

=> This means that when 2 pieces of equipment containing the same refrigerant are emptied, 2 forms must be completed. This applies even if all the recovered fluid is collected in the same recovery cylinder.

Once the used fluids have been treated, the copy of the form endorsed by the operator of the treatment facility is sent back to the refrigeration specialist only. Equipment owners should therefore not expect to receive a copy of the form to certify that their waste refrigerants have been collected and processed.

N.B.: Even if the BSD is drawn up by the refrigeration specialist in charge of servicing the equipment, and returned to him exclusively, the removal of used refrigerants must always be recorded in the outgoing waste registers of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment owners. For this reason, it is advisable to systematically obtain a copy of the Cerfa form from refrigeration service providers, even for equipment containing less than 2 kg of HCFCs or 5 TeqCO2 of HFCs.

How do I fill in the BSD section of the Cerfa 15497 form?

BSD used refrigerants

Boxes 11 to 15 of the Cerfa 15497 form must be completed when recovering used refrigerants. Here's how to do it:

    1. Box 11 is used to enter the total quantity of refrigerant recovered and destined for processing.
    2. The waste code (14 06 01* - Chlorofluorocarbons, HCFCs, HFCs) is pre-labelled on the form, as are the ADR entries, which surprisingly do not fully comply with ADR requirements. Firstly, the word "WASTE" does not appear between the UN 1078 code and the designation "Refrigerant gas N.O.S.". Secondly, some refrigerants have specific UN codes. These codes should be used in preference to the generic UN 1078 code:
      • R22 => UN 1018, WASTE CHLORODIFLUORO-METHANE (REFRIGERANT GAS R 22), 2.2 (C/E)
      • R134a => UN 3159, WASTE TETRAFLUORO-1,1,1,2 ETHANE (REFRIGERANT GAS R 134a), 2.2
      • R407c => UN 3340, WASTE REFRIGERANT GAS R 407C, 2.2
      If this is not possible, the chemical name of the fluid should be added in brackets immediately after the designation "Refrigerant gas N.O.S.". Box 11 does not allow this.
      Finally, box 14 (Remarks) allows you to enter alternative information. All in compliance with ADR requirements for transport documents.
    3. Box 12 is intended to indicate the name and address of the processing facility.
    4. Box 13 allows you to enter the name and address of a carrier. This applies when the transport is not carried out by the refrigeration specialist himself.
    5. Box 15 is completed by the operator of the treatment facility. In particular, the R or D code corresponding to the recovery or disposal operation carried out on the refrigerant received must be specified. In principle, this will be code R2 (Regeneration) or D10 (Incineration).

Used refrigerants, in synthesis

All in all, with the introduction of the Cerfa 15497 form, issuing a BSD when recovering and removing used refrigerants should no longer be a formality to be neglected. This is good news when you consider the penalties incurred. Failure to provide a BSD carries a maximum fine of €750. The absence of an ADR transport document exposes the consignor concerned to a penalty of 1 year's imprisonment and a €30,000 fine.

‍