European F-gas regulation 2024

Since March 11, 2024, the new European F-gas Regulation (2024/573) has been in force, immediately applying to all EU countries.

The goal? Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and switch to environmentally friendly alternatives. This regulation introduces strict rules for the use of these F-gases. The installation of new appliances (such as heat pumps, chillers, VRF systems, refrigerators) which contain these harmful F-gases, will also be subject to new regulations.

Faster phase-out of F-gases (HFCs)

By 2050, no newly produced HFCs should be allowed to enter the European market.

In practice, this means that HFC refrigerants will become scarcer and therefore more expensive. For those currently using refrigeration or heat pump systems containing HFCs, it is smart to keep these systems as leak-free and durable as possible. Indeed, the availability of HFCs is already decreasing and prices are going up.

Strict enforcement and high fines

Europe requires member states to set new rules with effective and robust fines that are targeted, proportionate and serve as a deterrent. The European regulation talks about criminal penalties, administrative penalties or both. Penalties can range from monetary fines to confiscation or revocation of certification. This requirement emphasizes how seriously these measures should be taken.

Expanding certification, also for natural refrigerants

The new EU regulation makes the requirements for certification more stringent for technicians and companies working with F-gases. Technicians who perform maintenance on plants using HFOs or natural refrigerants must now have an accreditation for this as well.

The new rules require that technicians who work on the air conditioning units in heavy vehicles, vans, mobile machinery for agriculture, mining, construction, trains, subways, trams, and aeroplanes also need training or certification.

The validity of these certificates is limited to 7 years. After this period, further evaluation or training is needed to extend them. Detailed European rules on these additional certification and training requirements have not yet been provided. Current examination and accreditation procedures also need to be updated. Member States have until March 12, 2027 to regulate this.

What does the extension of this legislation mean in practice?

The rules that previously applied to appliances with HFC refrigerants are now being extended to appliances with HFO (hydrofluorolefin) refrigerants, such as R-1234yf and R-1234ze. Although HFOs have a much lower impact on the greenhouse effect, they break down in the atmosphere to form PFAS, a chemical that is harmful to health and the environment.

New rules for periodic leak checks

The rules for mandatory periodic leak checks are being expanded. They no longer apply only to the tonnage of CO2 equivalent (TCE), but also to HFOs, where the frequency is determined by the number of kilograms, and thus becomes a more complex calculation.

(*) = the installation must be equipped with a leak detection system.

If a complete leak detection system is provided, which alerts the operator or the maintenance company to any leak, the period between mandatory checks can be doubled. This system must include the entire installation.

Extension of logging requirement

With the extension of the rules of periodic inspections, a logging requirement also applies to these installations. Any installation that falls within these regulations must therefore have an installation-specific logbook that records all leak checks and (refrigerant) operations.

What is a hermetically sealed circuit?

It is very important that a system with a hermetically sealed circuit is also labeled as such.

New rating plate as of January 1, 2025

As of January 1, 2025, F-gas installations must bear the appropriate label. Additional mandatory information must be included on the identification plate:

• Is the installation pre-filled and/or replenished or not?
• The origin of the F-gas: is it new, 100% recycled or 100% regenerated?
• Information about the F-gas: content in kg, CO2-eq and GWP.
• The QR code for the online logbook.
• The CE marking where necessary.

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Strict controls after the detection of a leak

In case a leak is detected, consistent action should be taken:

• The leak should be repaired within 14 days after detection, validated with a first leak test.
• Within 30 days after this repair, a second leak test should be carried out, but at the earliest 24 hours after the previous leak test.

If the installation is out of regulation, Article 5.16.3.3 applies. §3, 2° from the Flemish regulations:

2° The necessary precautions have been taken so that in the event of a repair, a leak, an escape via safety valve, etc., the escaping refrigerant cannot impact on the local area or contaminate the environment. To keep possible leaks to an absolute minimum, refrigeration systems, heat pumps and accessories are maintained according to standard EN 378 or an equivalent code of good practice and, depending on the mode of use, regularly examined by a qualified refrigeration technician. If leakage is detected, the necessary repairs must be made immediately to rectify the leakage and a new leak tightness check must be performed. The results of these investigations are entered in a register, available for inspection by the regulator.

Here the terms used are ‘regularly’ and ‘immediately’ and therefore not of precise deadlines and frequencies, as is the case for installations >= 5 TCE (HFC) or >= 1 kg (HFO). So there is some flexibility on this, which the government also sees as acceptable for small installations. This also means that for natural refrigerants it is important to organize regular maintenance, especially if this concerns a larger installation.

Extension to refrigerated transport

Air conditioners in vehicles with more than 5 tons of CO2 equivalent (HFC) or more than 1 kg (HFO) must also be checked for leaks every 12 months. This requirement applies to heavier vehicles, not passenger cars. This applies to all forms of refrigerated transport, including refrigerated containers and trains.

As of March 12, 2027, other mobile equipment must also be subject to these periodic checks, such as trains, subways, trams, and planes.

Restrictions on the use of F-gases during maintenance

When servicing or maintaining existing installations, the following prohibition is imposed on refilling.

For refrigeration equipment:

• As of 2025: New F-gases with a GWP >= 2500 (**)
• From 2030: Regenerated/recycled F-gases with GWP >= 2500
• From 2032: New F-gases with a GWP >= 750, except for chillers

For heat pumps:

• From 2026: New F-gases with a GWP >= 2500 (**)
• From 2032: Regenerated/recycled F-gases with GWP >= 2500

(**): This ban came into force in 2020 for installations with nominal content >= 40 TCE.

Ban on commissioning new appliances with F-gases

For split-unit heat pumps or air conditioning with F-gases

• From 2025: Split units < 3 kg F-gas and max 750 GWP
• As of 2027: Split units (air-water) <= 12kW and max 150 GWP
• As of 2029: Split units (air-to-air) <= 12 kW and max 150 GWP and split units > 12 kW + max 750 GWP
• From 2033: Split units > 12 kW and max 150 GWP
• As of 2035: All split units with F-gases

For stationary refrigeration units and chillers

• As of 2025: Cooling systems and max 2500 GWP (except for cooling <-50°C)
• From 2030: Chillers and max 150 GWP
• From 2027:
  • Chillers and ice water machines <= 12kW and max 150 GWP
  • Chillers and ice water machines > 12kW and max 750 GWP
• From 2032: Chillers and refrigerators <= 12 kW with F-gases

For plug-in heat pumps and air conditioners (monoblocks)

• From 2027: Plug-in appliances and monoblocks >= 12 kW and <= 50kW
• As of 2030: Plug-in appliances and monoblocks >= 50kW
• As of 2032: Ban on all monoblocks with F-gases

Download our free white paper with a concise summary of this European Regulation.