Reducing human-made greenhouse gases (fluorinated gases)

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It is designed to mitigate climate change and protect the environment by reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) which are human-made greenhouse gases with a global warming effect up to 23,000 times that of carbon dioxide.
It aims to cut the F-gas emissions of the European Union (EU) by two thirds by 2030 compared with 2014 levels.

KEY POINTS

The regulation:

covers hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)*, perfluorocarbons (PFCs)* and sulphur hexafluorides (SF6)*;
lays down rules on the containment, use, recovery and destruction of F-gases;
sets an overall yearly limit on the climate impact of HFCs, to be gradually reduced between 2015 and 2030.

It also lays down the following obligations.

Intentional release of F-gases is prohibited, unless technically necessary for the intended use of a product. Manufacturers must do their utmost to limit emissions during the production, transport and storage of F-gases.
Operators of equipment containing F-gases must take every precaution to avoid any leakage. They must ensure the equipment is regularly checked for leaks. The requirements vary according to the potential climate impact or whether the equipment is hermetically sealed.
The European Commission must report on the impact of the regulation by 31 December 2022.

Certification and training programmes

National authorities are responsible for setting up certification and training programmes for businesses and people involved in installing, servicing, maintaining, repairing or decommissioning F-gases equipment and in recovering F-gases.

Bans on products containing F-gases

The regulation phases in bans from 2015 to 2025 on the sale of new items such as certain categories of fridges and freezers, air-conditioning systems, foams and aerosols containing F-gases where safer, more climate-friendly alternatives exist.

Annual limits for HFCs

The regulation seeks to reduce the climate impact of the use of HFCs over time. The annual limit for HFCs on the market in 2030 is 21% of 2009–2012 levels.
To ensure the limits are met, the Commission allocates annual quotas to producers and importers. These must not be exceeded.

Reporting

Producers, importers, exporters, users of feedstock and businesses that destroy F-gases must report annually to the Commission.
Importers of F-gases equipment must do the same and, from 2017, have had to provide evidence that the quantities of HFCs in their imported equipment are accounted for.

Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol

The regulation also ensures that the EU complies with its international obligations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
The Kigali Amendment added HFCs to the list of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol (see summary). It entered into force on 1 January 2019. The phase-down of HFCs is expected to save around 80 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalents until 2050 and make a significant contribution to fighting climate change.
All 198 Montreal Protocol parties agreed to take steps to gradually reduce their production and use of HFCs. The first reduction step was to be taken by the EU and other developed countries in 2019. Most developing countries will start their phase-down in 2024.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 January 2015.

BACKGROUND

F-gases account for 2% of EU greenhouse gas emissions. F-gases are often replaceable by more climate-friendly alternatives.
For further information, see:
- EU legislation to control F-gases (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

HFCs. Used as refrigerants, cleaning solvents and foam-blowing agents (such as fire extinguishers).

PFCs. Used to manufacture semiconductors, as cleaning solvents and as foam-blowing agents.

SF6. Used in high-voltage switch gear and magnesium production.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases and repealing Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 (OJ L 150, 20.5.2014, pp. 195–230).

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