IOR Institute of Refrigeration

NEW ON-LINE IOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO SAIRAC MEMBERS.

SAIRAC Members can now join the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR, UK) as an eAffiliate member at a specially discounted partner membership fee. The price for this is just £20 – equivalent to about R385 (normally around £90 per year). This rate is only available to our members because of a partnership which our National Committee have recently agreed with the IOR to share resources and work more closely together.

The benefit of taking up an IOR eAffiliate membership subscription is access to:

over 300 technical bulletins to download from the IOR website including Safety Codes of Practice for the four refrigerant groups – usually retailing at £48 each for non members
new refrigerant elearning and training materials for alternatives such as carbon dioxide, flammables and ammonia
invitations to take part in technical webinars, with recordings accessible when you want to watch them and free Certificates for Professional Development when you participate
news and updates on refrigerant developments from the IOR
you can book to attend UK-based IOR conferences at member discount rates

SAIRAC members can find more information by logging into the SAIRAC members only area and selecting the IOR tab.

Latest News

We are delighted to announce our next IOR Industry Skills Alliance event, taking place in London.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday 24th September 2026
Time: 09:30 – 14:30 (including lunch, networking )
Location: LSBTC – Nine Elms Belmore Street, Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2JY

Following the success, energy and collaboration from our previous events, we are continuing to bring together employers, education providers, professional bodies and industry partners to create a stronger, more coordinated approach to addressing the skills and talent challenges facing the RACHP sector.

Our team is currently developing an exciting programme for the day, and we would welcome your input. We want to ensure the agenda reflects the priorities, challenges and opportunities that matter most to our sector. If there are specific topics, emerging skills needs, workforce challenges or areas you would like us to explore. We are also inviting organisations and individuals who would like to contribute to the event, whether through speaking, sharing best practice, showcasing an initiative or supporting the wider conversation around skills and talent. please share contact me directly.

The event will include:

An update on the impact and progress of the IOR Industry Skills Alliance to date, including key achievements, engagement activity and future plans.
Updates from our sector groups, highlighting the actions they have identified, progress made and the next steps towards delivering meaningful change.
Opportunities to connect and collaborate with employers, education partners and stakeholders from across the industry.
Dedicated networking time to build relationships, share ideas and identify opportunities to work together.

Register – HERE

We would encourage you to share the event invitation with your professional networks and colleagues. The more organisations involved, the stronger our collective voice will become and impact made.

Join our IOR Industry Skills Alliance WhatsApp Community:

To help us continue the conversation beyond our events, we are launching our IOR Industry Skills Alliance WhatsApp group.

The purpose of this group is to create a quick, accessible and collaborative space where members can:

Share updates, opportunities and best practice across the sector.
Continue discussions and actions between Industry Skills Alliance meetings.
Connect directly with employers, education providers, STEM ambassadors and industry partners.
Share information on skills initiatives, events, careers activity and opportunities to support the future workforce.

We encourage supporter of the Skills Alliance to join the WhatsApp community by simply scanning the QR code below. This will ensure you stay connected, receive the latest updates and continue to play an active role in shaping the future skills agenda for our sector.

The vision of the Industry Skills Alliance is simple: to bring the sector together and become one collective voice for skills and talent. By working collaboratively, sharing expertise and aligning our efforts, we can create stronger pathways into the industry, support workforce development and ensure the sector has the skills it needs for the future.

We look forward to welcoming you to London for what promises to be another inspiring and impactful event.

Other News:

IOR Board of Trustees nominations open

As a member of the IOR you can take a more active role in the Institute by becoming a member of its governing body, the Board of Trustees. Board members help steer the IOR’s direction and work in areas such as education outreach, environmental guidance, research and innovation events and supporting education and training initiatives.

If you are interested in standing for election to the Board please see the guidance available here . You will need two members to support your nomination, to complete a form and declaration and provide a photograph by 1^st August 2026.

Call for abstracts for Adaptation 2027

The Call for Abstracts for the 2nd IIR International Conference on Refrigeration Adapting to Rising Temperatures (Adaptation 2027) is now open. Organisers are inviting abstracts presenting case studies, innovations, research, and expert insights at the intersection of refrigeration technology and climate adaptation.

Contributions should align with the following themes:

· Managing Risk

· Environmental, Social and Governance

· The Future Landscape of RACHP

The 2^nd IIR International Conference on Refrigeration Adapting to Rising Temperatures (known as Adaptation 2027) is taking place from 8 to 10 March 2027 at Austin Court, Birmingham. This event, which will be organised by the Institute of Refrigeration, will include two days of presentations, workshops and short course and one day of topical conference tours.

The Call for abstracts will close on 10^th August 2027. Find out more and submit your abstract at www.adaptation2027.com.

Update on education and skills from the IOR

As the IOR is progressing on its skills objectives, here are some developments to look out for:

· Call for evidence on apprenticeships closing on 1 August: the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships has launched a national Call for Evidence exploring the role apprenticeships can play in supporting economic growth through the Government’s Industrial Strategy. The inquiry will gather views from employers, training providers, colleges, sector bodies, recruiters, and industry leaders before making recommendations to Government on future skills policy, funding, and delivery. Submit your evidence here by 1 August 2026

· The Future of Skills by the IOR Industry Skills Alliance Co-Chairs: Industry Skills Alliance Co-Chairs Andrew Bowden FInstR and Mark Harris MInstR joined the Tip of the Iceberg podcast to discuss the Alliance’s purpose, achievements so far, and its plans for future development. Listen to the podcast here.

· IOR Industry Skills Alliance November Meeting Announced: an in-person meeting will take place at Leeds College on 19 November. Book your place at https://ior.org.uk/events/isa-Nov26.

Forthcoming Events: