Amendment of the 2023/2024 F-gas Regulation
What is changing with the Refrigerant Regulation?
The new version of the F-gas Regulation, also known as Regulation (EU) No. 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases, came into force on 11 March 2024. In January 2024, the new version was adopted by the EU Parliament and approved by the EU Council. Negotiations were held in a trialogue with representatives from the EU Commission, EU Parliament und EU Council.
The original aim of the EU Parliament was to ban stationary refrigeration systems with F-gases, also known as fully fluorinated hydrocarbons (HFCs) or semifluorinated hydrocarbons (SFCs). A ban on the use of F-gases with a GWP of > 150 (GWP = Global Warming Potential) for service and maintenance from 2024 onwards was also not approved. In the event of a repair, this would have meant an early end to numerous existing units.
What does the 2024 F-gas amendment entail?
The phase-out of F-gases is now being significantly accelerated by a tighter phase-down. The 2015 EU Regulation defined the phase-down until 2032. This will be tightened again with the new regulation and will continue until 2050 with a ban on all F-gases.
In addition, a fixed figure of three euros per tonne of CO2 will be due on the existing quota. This figure is intended to cover part of the administrative costs.
Overview of the 2015 F-gas Regulation phase-down to the 2024 amendment
All F-gases are affected by the phase-down. Until now, medical propellants have not been considered, but are now included. According to initial estimates, they equate to around 10 percent of the previous quota. This will further reduce the amount of available F-gases, which is expected to further increase the price of F-gases.
In addition, there are extended bans on the use of refrigerants with a GWP above 150 and in individual areas above 750.
Below are the bans and restrictions relevant to the air conditioning industry:
There are also other bans, for example concerning refrigeration systems.
Overview of refrigerants, F-gases and natural refrigerants with the limits of the F-gas Regulation and GWP values
In addition, restrictions on the use of new refrigerant in service and maintenance have been agreed, with the exception of recycled and reclaimed refrigerant (excluding military applications and refrigeration systems with product temperatures below -50 °C).
New refrigerant |
|
|---|---|
From 01.01.2026 |
Ban on the use of new refrigerant with a GWP of more than 2500 for air conditioning systems and heat pumps |
From 01.01.2032 |
Ban on the use of new refrigerant with a GWP of more than 750 for air conditioning systems and heat pumps (with the exception of chillers) |
Reclaimed/recycled |
|
Up to 31.12.2031 |
processed reclaimed and recycled refrigerant with a GPW of more than 2500 may be used. |
From 01.01.2032 |
processed reclaimed and recycled refrigerant with a GPW of more than 750 may be used. |
Requirements for the use of new refrigerant and processed/recycled refrigerant (other restrictions apply to refrigeration systems based on air conditioning systems and heat pumps)
Using the example of the refrigerant R410A, which is still frequently used today, this means that it may no longer be used as a new product in air conditioning systems and heat pumps for service purposes from 2032 onwards.
Only recycled and reclaimed R410A may still be used. However, this is only if it is used by the company that recovered the refrigerant during service or maintenance, or the company for which the recovery was undertaken during service or maintenance. If no R410A has been removed from systems, none can be reused. The recovery of refrigerant plays a major role here.
The Commission intends to carry out an assessment of the effects and benefits of the Regulation by 2030 at the latest. This will involve an assessment of the availability of cost-effective, technically feasible and sufficiently available alternatives to F-gases. Moreover, the Commission will examine by 2040 whether 2050 is a realistic target for halting the consumption of HFCs. The technological development and availability of HFC alternatives for the relevant applications will be taken into account in this. There will also be an analysis about whether there continues to be a demand for HFCs in the sectors in which these substances are still used.
Heat pumps and chillers - our solution for the future
Refrigerant is now only used in the generator itself in all Kampmann units. This results in significant advantages for direct evaporation systems:
- No refrigerant flows through the pipework in the building, as only water is used as the carrier system
- Lower volumes are used
- Reduced leaks, greater safety in the operation of the system
→ To the heat pumps