Overview
ISO 23684:2023 - Road vehicles - Technical personnel dealing with natural gas vehicles (NGVs) - Training and qualification - specifies minimum requirements for training, assessment and qualification of personnel who work with natural gas fuelled vehicles. The standard defines competence criteria, training course content, examination and qualification procedures for roles across NGV workshops, CNG/LNG/L‑CNG fuelling stations, parking/garage staff and first responders. It emphasizes learning outcomes, safety levels and transferability between formal, informal and non‑formal learning.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: Clear definitions for NG, NGV, CNG, LNG, L‑CNG, NGV workshop, learning outcome and competence.
- Roles and competency profiles: Requirements for technical managers and operators in workshops, fuelling stations and parking facilities (tables detail minimum knowledge and skills).
- Training programme requirements: Minimum course content, theoretical and practical elements, recognized training course criteria, trainer competence, training methods, locations and e‑learning provisions (Annex A).
- Assessment and qualification: Competence assessment methods, final examination, qualification levels and types, and the role of an authorized qualification body and third‑party certification bodies.
- Safety focus: Training calibrated to the level of safety required by the activity, with industry‑relevant topics for safe operation, maintenance and emergency response.
- Normative references and cross‑links: The standard aligns with related competency and certification frameworks (e.g., ISO/IEC TS 17027, ISO/IEC 17024, ISO 15500‑1, ISO 16924).
Practical applications and users
ISO 23684:2023 is intended for organizations and professionals involved in NGV operations who need standardized, auditable competence assurance:
- Workshop owners and technical managers - design and validate staff training, ensure compliance for servicing NGVs.
- Fuelling station operators (CNG, LNG, L‑CNG) - establish operator qualifications, safety procedures and station training programs.
- Fleet owners and parking/garage operators - set competence requirements for onsite maintenance and emergency handling.
- Training providers and accreditation bodies - develop recognized courses, E‑learning modules and perform competence assessments.
- Certification bodies and regulators - adopt or reference ISO 23684 for personnel certification and regulatory compliance.
Related standards
Standards referenced within ISO 23684 include competency and NGV‑specific documents such as ISO/IEC TS 17027, ISO/IEC 17024, ISO 15500‑1 (CNG), ISO 16924 (LNG) and others cited for terminology and certification practice.
Adopting ISO 23684:2023 helps organizations ensure consistent NGV safety, improve workforce competence and support reliable, auditable personnel qualification for natural gas vehicle operations.