International. EPEE, which represents the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry in Europe, and three leading associations in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) sector – EFCTC, AREA and ADC3R – have come together to demand better implementation of the EU fluorinated gas Regulation.
As the growing illegal refrigerant trade is reported, the associations are asking all market participants to only purchase refrigerants from reputable sources to ensure the safe and efficient operation of HVAC/R equipment. Illegally imported refrigerant can pose a significant risk to the health and safety of installers and users, and to the reliability of the equipment. In case of accidents that may result from the use of unknown substances contained in illegally imported containers or cylinders, installers will be liable.
"We have supported the Fluorinated Gas Regulation and the transition to low GWP refrigerants from the beginning. We cannot afford such gaps in implementation and the lack of coordinated implementation, especially now that the world has agreed to a global reduction of HFCs under the Kigali Amendment, which will come into force in those countries that have ratified it in less than 3 months." says Andrea Voigt, Managing Director of EPEE.
Illegal imports and the consequent placing on the market of such refrigerants not only pose a safety and reliability hazard, but also jeopardize the achievement of the ambitious CO2 equivalent reduction targets set by the Fluorinated Gases Regulation.
"There is no need for illegal imports," adds Andrea Voigt, "sustainable, low-GWP refrigerants and technologies are available today to help meet the requirements of the Fluorinated Gas Regulation."
"The authorities are ultimately responsible for the proper application of the Fluorinated Gases Regulation and we call on all actors, including EU and national competent authorities, to also play their part in enforcing stricter controls at EU borders, "" added Olivier Janin, Secretary General of AREA, the association of contractors for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment.
The European Commission is working on this issue as a priority and the associations intend to work with them in the coming months to help accelerate progress.
The EU Regulation on fluorinated gases entered into force in 2015. Its goal is to reduce emissions from HVAC/R equipment. One of its main measures is the gradual reduction of HFCs, which aims at the transition to refrigerants with a lower global warming potential (GWP), gradually reducing the amounts of HFCs, expressed in CO2 equivalents, placed on the EU market.
Source: EPEE.
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