Under the Montreal Protocol on protecting the ozone layer, the European Union has adopted a new regulation (EU) No 517/2014 (F-GAS regulation) to control emissions from fluorinated greenhouse gases (f-gases) and reduce EU’s F-gas emissions by two-thirds by 2030 compared with 2014 levels. F-gases subject this new regulation contain three groups: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Most of these F-Gases have high global warming potential (GWP).
They are contained or functioning in several types of products and equipment, including refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump equipment (of these three types called pre-charged equipment), fire protection system, electrical switchgear, foams, aerosols, solvents, and f-gas containers.
You must comply with regulations aimed at limiting F-gas discharges if you manufacture, supply, use, install, or service equipment containing F-gases, or if you make or provide F-gases. This involves a quota system aimed at reducing F-gas availability in Europe and the UK by 2030.