F-Gases Regulation
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That is why you as the operator must act now.
What is the F-Gas Regulation?
The F-Gas Regulation is a European regulation. It aims to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). The regulation is based on the amount of refrigerant in kilograms and its global warming potential (GWP). This results in the CO2 equivalent of a system. The regulation was adopted in 2014 and has applied in all EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland since 1 January 2015.
F-gases are synthetically produced gases that are frequently used in air conditioning systems, refrigerators, heat pumps and other appliances. These must be checked for leaks at regular intervals by certified personnel and documented. In the event of faults or problems with your refrigeration system, we will be happy to assist you with our expertise, experience and certified personnel. We will help you to fulfil all the requirements of the F-Gas Regulation and thus ensure that your system is used in an environmentally friendly and legally compliant manner.
The provisions in detail:
Until 31.12.2016
Installations containing less than 3 kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases or hermetically sealed installations containing less than 6 kg of fluorinated greenhouse gases are not subject to a leak test.
From 1 January 2017
All systems with a CO2 equivalent of more than 5 tonnes and less than 50 tonnes must be checked for leaks once every 12 months (operator obligation).
From 1 January 2020
The use of refrigerants with a GWP greater than 2500 will be prohibited in systems with a minimum temperature greater than -50 °C. In systems with a low temperature of less than -50 °C, these refrigerants may continue to be used.
continue to be used.
From 11 March 2024
The amended F-Gas Regulation (EU Regulation 2024/573) came into force on 11 March 2024. This has serious consequences for the operation and installation of stationary refrigeration systems, air conditioning systems and heat pumps that contain fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). The revision of the previously valid F-Gas Regulation (EU Regulation 517/2014) is intended to further reduce direct emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases to protect the climate.
Due to a continuous reduction in the available quantity of F-gases (‘phase-down’) that can be placed on the market each year in the EU, application-specific bans on placing systems with F-gases on the market and bans on the use of certain refrigerants for servicing and maintenance work, it is becoming clear how refrigeration and air conditioning technology will develop in the coming years: Where possible, new systems should only be planned with non-fluorinated refrigerants such as propane, carbon dioxide or ammonia or with fluorinated refrigerants with the lowest possible GWP value. The fluorinated safety refrigerants that have been primarily used to date will largely disappear from the market. Instead, refrigerants will be used that require greater care because they are flammable (propane) or toxic (ammonia) or have a suffocating effect and high system pressures (carbon dioxide). Price increases and shortages of refrigerants with a high GWP value are to be expected.
Validity
The F-Gas Regulation is valid in all countries of the European Union. All appliances sold in this region must fulfil the applicable regulations.
Objective of the F-Gas Regulation
The regulation aims to limit the global temperature rise to 2 °C in order to avoid undesirable climate effects. CO2 emissions in industry are to be reduced by up to 73% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. In order to achieve the target, the estimated CO2 equivalent of 104 million tonnes in 2030 must be reduced to approx. 35 million tonnes.
FAQ on the F-Gas Regulation
When is a leak test necessary?
Systems using refrigerants containing CFCs and HCFCs (e.g. R22, R123) must be inspected every 12 months. Systems using refrigerants with HFC, HFC (e.g. R134a, R404A) must be inspected every 12 months. Leak test is mandatory
What does GWP mean?
GWP is the abbreviation for “Global Warming Potential”, it stands for the global warming or greenhouse potential of a substance. The GWP value of a refrigerant defines its relative global warming potential with respect to CO₂ (also referred to as CO₂ equivalent). The value describes the global warming effect over a certain period of time, usually 100 years in the case of refrigerants. The higher the GWP value, the more harmful the corresponding substance is to the climate.
What does CO2 equivalent mean?
CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e) are a unit of measurement used to standardize the climate impact of different greenhouse gases.