F-Gas Regulations Explained

New F-gas regulations in the EU came into effect on 1st January 2020, so you should be aware of the basics if you work with refrigeration systems. The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas Regulations ban the use of certain refrigerants if they have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of more than 2500.

This means that all existing refrigeration units that exceed this limit, such as condensing units with over 10kg of HFC 404A, must comply with the ban. All users of these refrigeration systems can continue to run them until they break down, but technicians legally cannot service or repair them.

Knowing that the UK and EU are phasing down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other fluorinated gases over the next 10 years, you should have enough forewarning to make the switch to new refrigeration systems now that you can no longer top up your non-compliant units with F-gases.

Read-more...

Which refrigeration systems use F-gases?

F-gases are commonly used as the coolant for older commercial refrigeration units. Therefore, the F-gas regulations will affect retailers and distributors using any of the following refrigeration systems, if their coolant is one of the banned F-gas refrigerants:

SMALL HERMETICALLY SEALED SYSTEMS	E.g. ice cream freezers, bottle coolers, standing retail displays with 0.1-0.5kg of refrigerant
CONDENSING UNITS	E.g. blast chillers, freezers, and commercial display cabinets in convenience stores
CENTRAL PACK SYSTEMS	E.g. large-scale refrigeration equipment in supermarkets with more than 100kg of coolant

Smaller units are not likely to be affected by the current ban, as the amount of refrigerant in their systems will be less than the maximum allowance. The ban will affect any unit that contains the equivalent of 40 tonnes of CO₂ (e.g. 10kg of R404A, the most common F-gas coolant).

How do I check for F-gas compliance?

If you haven’t already, then you should check whether your refrigeration systems are compliant immediately. If they aren’t, you could be subject to legal penalties, and repairs and replacements won’t be available for non-compliant units. The labels on your equipment should provide:

⦿ the type and quantity of F-gas it uses
⦿ its Global Warming Potential (GWP)
⦿ the Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e)

Should there be no F-gas present, the equipment is probably exempt. However, the new regulations definitely apply if there is F-gas with a GWP of 2500 or above, and a CO2e of more than 40 tonnes. If you can’t find this information yourself or the labelling is unclear, consult the manufacturer of your refrigeration equipment. Alternatively, you can hire a qualified maintenance technician to assess the system for you.

What do the F-gas regulations mean for my business?

The phasing out of F-gases marks a revolutionary change for the refrigeration, heating, and cooling industries. These regulations will forever change the way that businesses operate. They not only apply to companies and traders based in Europe but also international businesses that operate within Europe.

The next few years will see a continuous rapid decline in the availability of F-gases and a meteoric rise in prices as the market shrinks and gradually disappears.

The quotas of HFC gases that manufacturers can supply in Europe will be cut to 21% by 2030, with strict regulations already imposed for leak-testing, labelling, and record-keeping. Any owner of a refrigeration system that uses F-gases is now under pressure to reduce or remove them.

If you’re running an old F-gas system that starts leaking, leaving this unrepaired or topping up your system with more F-gas could not only be expensive, but also leaves you liable to prosecution for breaking the law over F-gas emissions.

If your refrigeration equipment uses an F-gas below the ban’s threshold, you may be able to continue with coolant top-ups as normal. However, if your systems fall under the banned categories, then you now have three options for what you’re legally allowed to do:

Use reclaimed or recycled R404A refrigerant	Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are exempt from the ban until 2030 if reclaimed or recycled
Replace F-gas with a lower GWP refrigerant	Top up with a less harmful F-gas if it’s compatible – you may have to retrofit the system
Buy new equipment that uses a lower GWP refrigerant	Replace your old refrigeration system with new equipment that uses no or low F-gases

The F-gas laws apply to all sizes of businesses, including sole traders, companies, and partnerships in all sectors. So, if your job involves the use, installation, maintenance, or servicing of any equipment that uses F-gases, you need to adapt to the new regulations quickly to avoid fines and prosecution.

Which F-gas alternative is best for my business?

Using the same F-gas from a recycled source might seem like the easiest route initially, but supplies will decrease over time. This means F-gases like R404A will be harder to find and more expensive to obtain. You’ll only be able to do this until 2030, anyway, when even recycled HFCs will be banned.

Similarly, you might find that switching to a different F-gas with a lower GWP is cheaper than buying completely new refrigeration equipment. However, if the F-gas doesn’t work with your existing system, you’ll need to spend more on upgrading the equipment to facilitate the new gas anyway.

The most forward-thinking alternative is to invest in new refrigeration systems that are compliant with the F-gas regulations from the start. This is obviously a costly undertaking, but there are several government schemes you can look into for loans or tax write-offs on energy-efficient equipment.

Besides, if you fail to comply with the F-gas regulations, your business could be facing a fine of up to £200,000. Some businesses have already received fines of more than £1 million, so it’s really not worth the risk.

Should you update or replace your refrigeration system?

Any decision you make around converting to a new refrigerant should take the lifespan of both the existing system and the replacement refrigerant into account. There are several HFC alternatives available, including natural refrigerants, F-gases with a lower GWP, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), or blends of these.

The most common ‘natural refrigerants’ used to replace F-gases are carbon dioxide (CO₂or R744) and ammonia (NH₃ or R717). Hydrocarbons and CO₂are the most popular replacement in domestic, commercial, and industrial refrigeration, as well as in air conditioning systems.

There may be initial high costs involved in switching to or setting up a carbon dioxide refrigeration system – and the same for ammonia – but their efficiency and lower GWP means that their operating lifecycle will last a lot longer, with lower running costs over time.

Where can I find an F-gas engineer?

Do you need help assessing your refrigeration equipment for F-gas regulation compliance? Or could you benefit from expert advice on which F-gas compliance option is best for your business? As a long-standing refrigeration company with extensive knowledge of F-gas legislation, we’d be happy to help at Ryan-Jayberg.

Simply get in touch with us by phone or email and we’ll see what we can do to help. You can reach us on 02089 446 288 or at info@ryan-jayberg.co.uk.

Whether you need an F-gas engineer to service or replace your refrigeration system, or you’d like the F-gas regulations explained in more detail, the team at Ryan-Jayberg can assist you. Our F-gas certified HVAC experts are available at several branches across England for in-person support.

F-Gas Regulation FAQs

What are fluorinated greenhouse gases?

F-gases is the shortened term for fluorinated greenhouse gases – but what exactly are they? As you’re probably aware, greenhouse gases are harmful emissions that trap heat in our atmosphere, contributing to global warming. This is why there are increasingly stricter regulations for their use.

They’re basically synthetic chemicals that contain fluorine. There are three main types of F-gas:

⦿ hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
⦿ perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
⦿ sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

Fluorinated gases are found in many types of equipment, not just refrigeration systems. For example, air conditioning units, heat pumps, fire extinguishers, and cleaning solvents often use F-gases. Since they contribute to climate change, governments are phasing them out by 2030.

What is the aim of the F-gas regulations?

These regulations restrict ozone-depleting substances and specifically set out a schedule for phasing out fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases), with usage requirements for manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and consumers.

The F-gas regulations aim to reduce the use of HFC refrigerants, through better control of their containment in existing applications and their recovery for recycling or destruction. This pushes businesses to change their habits and rely on alternatives that aren’t as harmful to the planet.

Requirements of the F-gas regulations that will continue to be imposed include:

⦿ Preventing the intentional and unintentional release of F-gases during production and usage
⦿ Carrying out checks, keeping records, and using leak detection systems to minimise and repair leaks
⦿ Enforcing correct and detailed labelling for products and equipment containing F-gases
⦿ Training and certifying companies and personnel who work with F-gases within Europe
⦿ Reporting and monitoring data on the production, import, and export of F-gases within Europe
⦿ Recovering F-gases from equipment being repaired or decommissioned for recycling or destruction
⦿ Restricting the supply of equipment that uses F-gases and sales to non-certified businesses

Certain obligations will lie with the owner and/or operator of the equipment, while others will lie with third parties, such as suppliers, contractors, and waste handlers.

Which F-gases are banned and which F-gases are exempt?

If you produce, trade, or use fluorinated gases in any capacity, then you can find detailed guidance on how to follow F-gas regulations on the government website. This will tell you which gases you’re allowed to use and how you’re allowed to use them. Here’s a quick summary of F-gas restrictions:

Current F-gas refill ban (introduced in 2020)	⦿ HFC 508B (3kg) ⦿ HFC 507A (10kg) ⦿ HFC 404A (10.2kg) ⦿ HFC 434A (12.3kg) ⦿ HFC 422D (14.7kg)
Current and future ban on new F-gas products (introduced from 2020 to 2023)	⦿ All perfluorochemicals (PFCs) ⦿ All hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with a GWP above 150 ⦿ All F-gases with a GWP above 150
Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) exemptions	⦿ Feedstocks ⦿ Military equipment ⦿ Metered dose inhalers ⦿ Semiconductor etching ⦿ Cleaning vapour deposition chambers in semiconductor manufacturing ⦿ Destroying or exporting

The permitted GWP, date of effect, and exemptions will depend on the specific type of F-gas and the specific product. Please click the links in the table above to view more detailed information on the current and future F-gas bans.

Which replacements are available for F-gases?

In commercial and industrial refrigeration, there are several natural refrigerants that can be used in place of F-gases. These include the following gases as replacements for several HFCs/F-gases:

⦿ R600a (isobutane) instead of R134a
⦿ R290 (propane) instead of R134a, R404A, R407A
⦿ R717 (ammonia) instead of R134a, R404A, R407A
⦿ R744 (carbon dioxide) instead of R134a, R404A, R407A

There are also several hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and HFC-HFO blends available – while these still have a relatively high GWP, they’re still lower than HFCs, and usually suitable for retrofitting old refrigeration systems.

The table below shows the most common HFC alternatives currently in use, from the lowest to the highest acceptable GWP, and whether these gases can be used to retrofit old equipment or must be used in new systems only.

Refrigerant gases with 2500 GWP or lower	Replacement for F-gases	Retrofittable or new equipment only
Ammonia R717 – GWP 0	R134a	New equipment
Carbon dioxide R744 – GWP 1	R134a, R404A	New equipment
Propene/propylene R1270 – GWP 2	R22, R404A, R410A	New equipment
Propane R290 – GWP 3	R22, R404A, R410A	New equipment
Isobutane R600a – GWP 3	R134a	New equipment
DuPont™ Opteon® YF/Solstice™ yf R1234yf – GWP 4	R134a	New equipment
Solstice™ ze R1234ze(E) – GWP 7	R134a	New equipment
DuPont™ Opteon® XP10 R513A – GWP 631	R134a	Suitable for retrofitting existing equipment
Difluoromethane/difluoromethylene R32 – GWP 675	R410A	New equipment
DuPont™ Opteon® XP40 R449A – GWP 1397	R404A	Suitable for retrofitting existing equipment
Difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and tetrafluoroethane blend R407C – GWP 1774	R22	Suitable for retrofitting existing equipment (oil change necessary)
Genetron® Performax™ LT R407F – GWP 1825	R404A, R507, R22	Suitable for retrofitting most existing equipment
RS-50 R442A – GWP 1888	R404A, R507, R22	Suitable for retrofitting most existing equipment
Difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane blend R410A – GWP 2088	R22	New equipment
Difluoromethane, pentafluoroethane, and tetrafluoroethane blend R407A – GWP 2107	R404A, R507, R22	Suitable for retrofitting most existing equipment
Forane® 427A R427A – GWP 2138	R22, R22 retrofit blends (R422D, R422A, R428A)	Suitable for retrofitting most existing equipment (oil change necessary)
DuPont™ Opteon® XP44 R452A – GWP 2141	R404A	Suitable for retrofitting existing equipment
DuPont™ ISCEON® M099 R438A – GWP 2265	R22, R22 retrofit blends (R422D, R422A, R428A)	Suitable for retrofitting most existing equipment (oil change necessary)
DuPont™ ISCEON® 39TC R423A – GWP 2280	R12	Suitable for retrofitting existing equipment
DuPont™ ISCEON® M059 R417A – GWP 2346	R22, R22 retrofit blends	Suitable for retrofitting existing equipment
RS-44 R424A – GWP 2440	R22, R22 retrofit blends	Suitable for retrofitting existing equipment

What are your legal obligations under the F-gas regulations?

These regulations are in place to ensure that everyone involved in the production, distribution, sale, usage, or recovery of these harmful gases complies with the requirements to reduce F-gas emissions into the atmosphere.

This includes both operators of the equipment containing F-gases – such as shop owners – and technicians who service and maintain this equipment. Anyone who is responsible for the functioning of the equipment is obligated to:

⦿ Only use trained technicians – only certified technicians can carry out work on F-gas equipment, and only for certified businesses
⦿ Regularly check for leaks – qualified engineers must check equipment at regular periods for signs of leaks, and immediately carry out repairs if a leak is detected
⦿ Appropriately label equipment – at the minimum, labels must specify the type of F-gas and quantity in the container/equipment
⦿ Keep long-term records – facility managers must keep an F-gas register with detailed records of F-gas systems, including leaks, repairs, and maintenance history

When your equipment reaches the end of its working life, there’s also an obligation to make sure that all F-gases are properly recovered by a professional who is qualified to recycle or destroy them.

To help you meet your legal obligations, it’s a good idea to set up a contract for regular planned refrigeration maintenance. This can be tailored to the specifications of your exact equipment.

What is an F-gas certificate?

To ensure that all F-gas production and servicing is above board, it’s illegal for any business in this industry to operate without an F-gas certificate. This means that anyone who installs, maintains, or services stationary equipment that contains F-gas refrigerants must have the proper accreditation.

This isn’t optional – it’s required by law to have valid F-gas certification if you’ll be handling F-gases on behalf of your own or another business. Employees must be F-gas certified as individuals, and the business as a whole needs an F-gas company certificate. Find out more on the government website:

There are several certification bodies you can work with to receive accreditation, depending on the equipment you work with. The Environment Agency proactively enforces F-gas regulations, so you need to comply with the law if you don’t want to receive a fine or have your business shut down.

We’re serious about health and safety at Ryan-Jayberg, so you can trust that our F-gas engineers are all appropriately qualified. You can check our REFCOM F-gas accreditation under the certificate number REF1011245.

Show-less

Get In Touch