Legislation

On the 7th November 2012, the European Commission published its plan to revise European Regulation 842/2006.  This text relates to fluorinated gases and proposes a certain number of future measures for refrigeration, air conditioning, heating and renewable energy professionals, particularly the phase-down of HFCs.

Only refrigerants with a GWP less than 150 can be used in new vehicle types from 2011.  A derogation allowing continued use of 134a ended on 31/12/2012.

From 01/01/2017 all new vehicles must use a refrigerant with a GWP of less than 150.

The Hazardous Waste Regulations have been in place in England and Wales since 2005, with some minor modifications in subsequent years.  Under these regulations CFC, HCFC and HFC refrigerants are classified as Hazardous waste when they are recovered from a system. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/34904.aspx

 The use of HCFC refrigerants such as R22 was banned as of 1st January 2010, but it is still possible to top up systems with reclaimed product and in some cases recycled product until the end of 2014.

These are primarily covered by the F-Gas legislation and place a number of legal requirements on end users, contractors, engineers, producers and suppliers.

The current legislation, 842/2006, entered into force on 4th July 2006, with the majority of measures taking effect from 4th July 2007.  The main objective of the regulation was to prevent and reduce emissions of certain fluorinated greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol.

The European Commission has produced several leaflets to provide useful information and guidance for operators, technical personnel, and companies working with equipment containing F-Gases.