Skip to main content
Climate Action
  • News article
  • 20 September 2024
  • Directorate-General for Climate Action
  • 1 min read

F-gases: new rules on labelling, reporting, certification and the F-gas Portal

The Commission has adopted four Implementing Regulations to align with the new rules in Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) that entered into force in March 2024.

A family inside a home with a modern decor, standing together and looking at an air conditioning unit on the wall, with the father adjusting the settings with a remote control

Labelling format

An Implementing Regulation on the format of F-gas labels that are required on F-gas containers as well as on certain products and equipment with F-gases. These new rules will apply from 1 January 2025. Until then, the labelling requirement in Article 12 in the previous F-gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 and the format in the Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2015/2068 continue to apply.

Reporting format

An Implementing Regulation establishing a new format for the annual F-gas report, companies and other entities must submit to the Commission regarding specific activities involving F-gases and products and equipment with F-gases. The new format will be integrated in the reporting tool accessible via the F-gas Portal. The new format will be used for the first time for the reports to be submitted by 31 March 2025 with data from 2024. Until the end of 2024, the reporting requirements in Article 19 in the previous F-gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 and the format in the Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1191/2014 continue to apply.

Certifications for technicians in the cooling sector

An Implementing Regulation on the minimum requirements for issuing certificates to technicians working on:

  • stationary refrigeration
  • stationary air-conditioning equipment and heat pumps
  • stationary organic Rankine cycles
  • refrigeration units of refrigerated trucks and trailers
  • refrigeration units of light-duty vehicles, intermodal containers and train wagons.

The new implementing act reflects that certification has become mandatory for such equipment if they are using alternatives to F-gases as refrigerant, whereas, the previous F-gas Regulation covered F-gases only. The new rules spell out the skills and knowledge needed to obtain six types of certificates., including combined certificates for equipment containing F-gases (including so-called HFOs) and hydrocarbons, a separate certificate for CO2; and a separate certificate covering ammonia. Member States have one year to adapt their certification programmes.

F-gas Portal

Finally, an Implementing Regulation on the smooth functioning of the F-gas Portal entailing detailed rules for example on information requirements for registrations and conditions for refusal, suspension and cancellation of registrations. The F-gas Portal is the Commission’s IT platform to manage the quota system for hydrofluorocarbons, issue trade licences and facilitate reporting.

Find all EU legislation related to F-gases on our dedicated webpage.

Details

Publication date
20 September 2024
Author
Directorate-General for Climate Action