What is the F-gas Portal?
The F-gas Portal is the European Commission’s centralised online platform to implement the HFC quota phase-down, manage the requirements of imports and exports, and facilitate the reporting obligations under the F-gas Regulation (EU) No 2024/573.
The registry contains information such as organisation details, business specifications, HFC quotas, and authorisations to use quotas to import equipment and products containing HFCs. Transactions such as transferring and authorising quotas must occur within the F-gas Portal. From 2025, the portal will also show production rights data and quota allocation payment information. The F-gas Portal is not a trading platform.
The new F-gas Regulation comes with improved rules for registration and quota allocation. These rules apply from 11 March 2024. There are also more detailed rules in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/661, ensuring the F-gas Portal's smooth functioning. While rooted in the F-gas Regulation from 2014, these implementing rules remain in effect until they are repealed and replaced by a new Implementing Regulation to be adopted under the 2024 F-gas Regulation.
Importers, exporters, and producers of bulk F-gases
Importers of F-gases pre-charged or contained in products and equipment
Companies receiving bulk HFCs for destruction, direct export, feedstock use, etching or cleaning in the semiconductor sector or for military use
Companies in receipt of HFCs for producing metered dose ihnalers for the delivery of pharmaceutical ingredients
Companies destroying or reclaiming F-gases
Managers overseeing authorisations for imports of HFC-containing refrigeration, air-conditioners, heat pumps or MDIs.
Independent auditors, whose intention it is to verify the accuracy of companies' annual reports
Additionally, the F-gas portal serves as an access point for competent authorities and customs across Member States, facilitating the enforcement and monitoring of the F-gas Regulation via the EU Single Window Environment for Customs, which is directly connected to the F-gas Portal.
Compliance Checklist. As a rule
- Keep Registration Updated
- Failure to update registration details can lead to the cancellation of the registration.
- Non-EU companies have to appoint an Only Representative, which
- Must be established within the EU.
- Assumes full responsibility for compliance with the F-gas Regulation and REACH Regulation Title II requirements.
- Is liable to penalties for non-compliance related to the undertaking represented.
- Must provide organization details and VAT number, appoint an account manager, and complete the financial identification form.
- Both the only representative and the represented company must sign the registration form.
- Importers/producers
- Must provide a physical address where their business is located, namely where the human and technical resources are permanently present. Only one undertaking per physical address is allowed.
- With several registrations with the same beneficial owner, one must note that only one undertaking, usually the first registrant, will be entitled to a quota allocation and a quota reference value.
- Independent auditors
- Must be accredited as per Directive 2003/87/EC or to verify financial statements under national law.
- Must be registered in the F-gas Portal and upload evidence of accreditation during registration.
Who can transfer quota?
Quota holders, who have a reference value, are allowed to transfer their quota entirely or partially.
Who can authorise quota?
Quota holders, who have a reference value, can authorise their quota entirely or partially to an importer for placing products and equipment pre-charged with HFCs on the market or to an authorisation manager.
Who can delegate quota authorisations?
Companies registered as authorising managers can delegate their authorisations to importers of products and/or equipment pre-charged with HFCs.
Undertakings should be aware that the any agreement to trade quota or quota authorisations against payment is done outside the F-gas Portal. When entering into such agreements, usual due diligence is recommended. The mere registration of an undertaking in the F-gas Portal is not providing any assurances whatsoever that the undertaking is a reliable debtor.