STEK vs BRL 100 — what is the difference, and which one do you need?

For anyone just starting out in refrigeration — or for anyone who has been in the sector for ten years but never had the time to work it out — STEK and BRL 100 are two different things. Often confusingly mentioned in the same breath because both deal with F-gases and refrigeration, but they cover different domains.

This article sets them side by side so that in 5 minutes you know what you need to have.

In one sentence

• STEK is the Dutch company certificate for working with F-gases — a membership of the Deelnemersplatform.
• BRL 100 is the assessment guideline for installation and maintenance companies for heat pumps + refrigeration/air conditioning installations — a process certificate, issued by one of six authorised certifying bodies (including Kiwa NV), not by InstallQ.

They are complementary: STEK governs that you are allowed to touch F-gases, BRL 100 governs how you do and document your work.

STEK — in depth

STEK stands for "Stichting Emissiepreventie Koudetechniek" and has been, since 1992, the Dutch participants' platform for companies that work with F-gases. Since (EU) 2024/573, STEK has been formally mandatory for:

• Companies that install, repair, maintain or dismantle F-gases in refrigeration installations + heat pumps
• Companies that import or distribute F-gases
• Independent technicians (ZZP) who carry out this work

What does STEK govern in practice?

• Company certification: your BV/sole proprietorship must be a STEK participant
• Personal certification of technicians (BRL 200) is validated through STEK
• F-gas records are registered centrally
• Annual reporting of refrigerant use
• Sample-based audits of the records + personal certificates

Without STEK participation you are not allowed to touch F-gases. Full stop. The ILT currently applies standard fines of €1,500 to €3,000 per offence.

BRL 100 — in depth

BRL 100 (Beoordelingsrichtlijn 100) is intended for installation companies that supply, install or maintain heat pumps, refrigeration installations or air conditioning installations. The certificate is issued by one of six authorised certifying bodies — InstallQ is not among them, see what is BRL 100?.

What does BRL 100 govern in practice?

• How you document your work orders (which fields, which signatures)
• How you retain your customer records (5 years minimum)
• How you document your internal process (company handbook)
• Leak-check frequencies + reports
• Technician certification requirements
• Audit trail requirements

BRL 100 is itself the legally required F-gas company certificate for companies that work on F-gas installations for third parties — not a separate, non-binding quality mark alongside it (source: Rijksoverheid Ondernemersplein (opent in nieuw tabblad)). On top of that, many clients (municipalities, housing associations, owners' associations, large installation companies) also explicitly expect it in tenders. No BRL 100 = no participation in tenders and no legal F-gas work.

Which one do you need?

| Situation | STEK | BRL 100 | |---|---|---| | ZZP technician who touches F-gases | ✅ Mandatory | ✅ Mandatory | | Company with technicians in refrigeration | ✅ Mandatory | ✅ Mandatory | | Maintenance contractor for housing associations | ✅ Mandatory | ✅ Mandatory + often a tender requirement | | Installation company for new-build heat pumps | ✅ Mandatory | ✅ Mandatory | | Company that only sells (does not install) | ❌ Not needed | ❌ Not needed | | Company that only monitors (does not touch) | ❌ Not needed | ❌ Not needed |

The practical overlap

Many of the administrative requirements overlap. A good work order flow + audit trail + cylinder administration satisfies both guidelines at once. The difference lies mainly in:

• Who inspects you (STEK = STEK auditor; BRL 100 = Kiwa auditor — different people, sometimes different interpretations)
• Which certificates you show (STEK = BRL 200 personal certificates; BRL 100 = installer process certificate per company)
• How often you are checked (STEK = annual participant report; BRL 100 = annual audit by Kiwa)

How does Koldwerk fit into this?

Koldwerk's refrigerant module directly delivers the F-gas administration that STEK requires (annual reporting in 1 click). The audit trail + work orders deliver what BRL 100 auditors expect. Covering both at once, no duplicate administration.

For companies becoming a STEK participant or preparing for a BRL 100 audit: we have a migration guide and the BRL-100 audit checklist as a free download.

Disclaimer: STEK participation + the BRL 100 process certificate each run through their own application procedure. Consult stek.nl (opent in nieuw tabblad) and kiwa.com (opent in nieuw tabblad) for current requirements. This article is an operational summary, not a replacement for the official documentation.