European Union (EU) – Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-Gas) Regulation 517/2014
The F-Gas regulation, in force since 2015, is an European directive with the aim to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases and protect the environment. To achieve this, the following measures have been set out: the rules and restrictions of the use of F-gases, restriction on placing on the market products that contain F-gases, and their quotas. Regulation intends to reduce emissions by two-thirds by 2030 compared to 2014 levels. HFCs are affected by the regulation due to high global warming potential and are a powerful driver towards low GWP alternatives.
In the refrigeration segment, regulation has brought HFC bans in new and servicing equipment, where less harmful alternatives have been available:
January 2015
- Domestic refrigerators and freezer with a GWP of 150 or more
January 2020
- Hermetically sealed refrigerators and freezers for commercial use with a GWP of 2500 or more (ban of R404A)
- Stationary refrigeration equipment, that contain or whose functioning relies upon HFCs with a GWP of 2500
- Prohibition of refrigeration equipment service or maintenance with a charge size of 40 tons of CO2 with a GWP of 2500 or more
- The prohibition is not applied for reclaimed or recycled HFC gases which are still allowed to be used until January 1, 2030.
January 2022
- Refrigerators and freezers hermetically sealed for commercial use with a GWP of 150 or more (ban of R134a)
- Refrigerants below 2,500 GWP are still allowed to be used in appliances not dedicated for commercial use in refrigerators and freezers yet are subjected to available quotas.
- Refrigerants above 2500 GWP are still allowed to be used with appliances designed to cool products to temperatures below -50°C
The evaluation of the measures taken has demonstrated the success of the regulation in reducing emissions. In April 2022, The European Commission published the regulation of a new proposal which prolongs and tightens the quota system for placing HFCs to the market, introduces a new quota for their production, extends the ban on the use of equipment containing F-gases, strengthens the penalties, or allows automatic customs controls of shipments. It aims to ensure compliance with Montreal Protocol, European Green Deal, and European Climate Law.
The European Parliament revised the proposal and presented its position to regulation changes. The position tightens the placement of F-gas containing products where technologically and economically feasible alternatives exists (including the heat pump sector) and their complete phase down by 2050, proposes stricter deadlines from which it will be no longer possible to place F-gas products on the market regardless of their GWP value.
In May 2023, The European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council started negotiations to agree on a final wording of the updated regulation. The final document is expected to be issued in Q3/2023 with validity from 2024 onwards.
