It is anticipated that by March 2014 the European Parliament will have voted to approve the wording of the proposed update to the F-Gas Regulations (842/2006/EC).
When finally ratified, this update will commit the EU to a number of significant steps with regard to the manufacture and use of HFC refrigerants. The steps will include:
- Cap and phase-down for the placing on the market of HFCs
- Bans or restrictions based on GWP in some new equipment, such as refrigerators and air conditioners.
- Reporting on the placing on the market of products and equipment containing or relying upon HFCs
- Future restrictions on servicing / maintenance of equipment using HFCs
- Rules regarding containment, use, recovery and destruction of HFCs
The update to the F-Gas regulations will apply from 1
st January 2015.
The aim of the agreed regulation is to reduce F-Gas emissions by two-thirds of today’s levels by 2030 and to encourage the use of viable and more “climate-friendly” alternatives where they are readily available.
The implications of the revisions to the F-Gas Regulations will have wide ranging impact affecting, in the immediate & short term, decisions being made on new refrigeration systems and heat pumps, and in the short to medium term, decisions on existing systems.
For more information contact the STS team.
