Climate concerns no longer sit on the sidelines of policy or business. With Regulation (EU) 2024/573—commonly called the F-gas Regulation—the European Union takes a bold step toward limiting fluorinated greenhouse gases. For manufacturers, this means more than compliance; it signals a shift in business models, design strategies, and market expectations.
The European Union began regulating fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) with Regulation (EC) No 842/2006, which laid the groundwork for monitoring, leakage prevention, and technician certification.
That law evolved into Regulation (EU) No 517/2014, which introduced a more robust framework. Subsequently, it implemented a quota system for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), established sales prohibitions based on global warming potential (GWP), and pushed industries to consider low-GWP alternatives.
Building on these efforts, Regulation (EU) 2024/573 replaces and repeals the 2014 law. It retains the quota-based approach but increases ambition. Moreover, it expands bans, tightens leakage controls, and introduces clear milestones that lead to a full phase-out of HFCs by 2050. As a result, this brings the regulation in line with the EU’s climate neutrality targets.
Fluorinated greenhouse gases are widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, fire protection, and electronics. F-gases, particularly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), significantly contribute to global warming. F-gases have a high global warming potential (GWP), meaning they trap heat in the atmosphere. In other words, despite representing a smaller fraction of total emissions, their warming potential often exceeds CO₂ by thousands of times.
As a result, governments worldwide are enforcing strict regulations to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of F-gases, while encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient alternatives. Accordingly, the EU F-gas Regulation identifies fluorinated gases as a threat to the environment and introduces clear policies to control their production, use, and leakage.
The goal is clear: cut emissions from F-gases by 2050. But more immediately, companies must prepare for an accelerated phase-down of HFCs starting in 2025. This is no longer about long-term planning—decisions made today will shape product lines, supply chains, and market access over the next decade.
The F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 covers a wide range of products and equipment, including:
Additionally, the regulation covers both the use of fluorinated gases and the placement of F-gas–containing equipment on the EU market. Furthermore, it regulates import, export, and servicing practices.
Unlike previous legislation, Regulation (EU) 2024/573 intensifies the ambition and breadth of controls. It establishes a firmer timeline, includes more substances, and holds companies to stricter technical and administrative responsibilities.
The F-gas regulation maintains the quota system first introduced in 2014 but makes it more aggressive. The amount of HFCs allowed on the market will drop significantly over time.
Manufacturers who rely on HFCs need to redesign systems or adopt alternatives. The regulation includes a table of percentage reductions from baseline levels (2011–2013 average quantities placed on the market), with major cuts starting from 2025.
Year | HFC Quota (%) |
|---|---|
2025 | 60% |
2030 | 23% |
2036 | 15% |
2048–2050 | 0% (phase-out) |
By 2050, placing any HFCs on the market will no longer be allowed.
The regulation restricts the sale of certain products in the EU that contain F-gases with GWP levels over permitted thresholds. These bans come into effect gradually between 2025 and 2035. Some of the most significant prohibitions include:
Additionally, bans apply to technical aerosols, foams, and certain electrical switchgear over time.
These restrictions are product-specific and require manufacturers to reassess not only their refrigerants but also insulation foams, sprays, and process gases. Moreover, these bans urge manufacturers to use natural refrigerants, including CO₂, ammonia, or hydrocarbons.
The regulation introduces a criterion for leak checks based on CO₂-equivalent thresholds rather than physical weight alone. As a result, even smaller equipment might require regular leak inspections if it exceeds 5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Moreover, manufacturers of hermetically sealed equipment, air-conditioning systems, or electrical switchgear require ensuring compatibility with low-leakage or leak-proof components. Therefore, design decisions must consider not just performance but also sustainability enforcement.
For manufacturers offering service contracts, this also creates opportunities: preventive maintenance, leakage detection systems, and certified handling services become core offerings.
According to the 2024 F-gas regulation, manufacturers and service providers must guarantee recovery of F-gases during servicing or end-of-life dismantling. Importantly, the regulation requires either recycling or certified destruction of these gases. Notably, venting is strictly prohibited.
This not only supports environmental goals but also encourages a circular approach to refrigerant management. Accordingly, companies may find value in investing in recovery infrastructure or partnering with third-party specialists to handle dismantling and processing.
The F-gas Regulation also expands administrative controls. Manufacturers must report annually if their activities involve more than 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in F-gases. These reports must be:
Each shipment of F-gases or products containing them must include a proper label with information about global warming potential (GWP) and recovery requirements. As a result, QR codes or digital labels become more common, offering real-time traceability.
This layer of reporting demands closer coordination among production, compliance, and IT departments.
Another key element is workforce upskilling. Member States must align their national certification schemes with the detailed requirements for technician training published by the EU, including an obligation for periodic renewal every seven years.
This affects anyone involved in:
For manufacturers, this creates both a responsibility and an opportunity. Partnering with certified service providers helps ensure compliance and maintain customer trust.
The F-gas Regulation gives Member States greater power to investigate non-compliance and apply penalties. This includes:
The cost of non-compliance can go beyond fines. Reputational damage, import bans, and loss of certification can all impact business operations. Therefore, aligning internal practices with the regulation must become a core business priority.
Navigating the F-gas Regulation requires more than regulatory awareness—it demands strategic alignment. Here’s how manufacturers can adapt:
The F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 places clear responsibility on manufacturers to reduce their climate footprint. Yet with responsibility comes opportunity. Businesses that act early not only meet legal requirements but also gain a competitive edge in a climate-aware market.
The EU’s legislative direction is clear. Low-emission technologies, circular processes, and transparency are no longer options; they define the recent standard. By embracing the F-gas Regulation today, manufacturers can future-proof operations and lead in a sustainable economy.
Curious how the 2024 F-gas regulation might impact your operations or product lines? Contact Enviropass – we’re here to help you stay compliant and competitive.
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