Challenges of the F-gas regulation review in relation to EU decarbonisation goals

Abstract

The EU Commission draft proposal for the F gas regulation EU 514/2014 review was published in April 2022. This draft proposal is foreseen to adapt to new challenges coming from the EU Green Deal – striving to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, while keeping also alignment with the EU commitment towards the Montreal Protocol - Kigali amendment. There are different views how the revised F gas regulation should contribute to these goals. This paper analyses elements of the draft proposal in which the proposal: gets more strict for RACHP equipment (product bans) and reduces available amounts of refrigerant on the market (phase down quota) for new equipment as well as for servicing needs. It will also show the challenges of the proposed changes and adaptations, impact on the market and industry of RACHP equipment – relation to energy efficiency of the equipment, availability of the HFC refrigerants, new alternatives, etc.