Fluorinated greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances: Policy & legislation

Overall goals

The principal objective of the EC F gas Regulation and related legislation is to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of F gases.

In line with this objective, the UK Government’s position regarding F gas use is to support the principle of containment, but that, in the long-term, F gas use is unsustainable and that the following principles should apply:

  • HFCs should only be used where other safe, technically feasible, cost effective and more environmentally acceptable alternatives do not exist;
  • HFCs emission reduction strategies should not undermine commitments to phase out ozone depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol; and
  • HFC emissions will not be allowed to rise unchecked.

The Government’s current approach to F gases is one of containment rather than wholesale bans on production and use.

Why is controlling F gases and ODS so important?

As a very stable, non-toxic family of chemicals fluorinated greenhouse gases (F gases) and ozone depleting substances (ODS) have properties that make them useful in a wide range of applications.

However, they also have a high global warming potential and can contribute to climate change and are therefore detrimental to the environment. That is why controls have been put in place both in the UK and internationally in order to reduce their environmental impact.

The timescale for action will depend on how and where you use F gases and ODS.

European action

Action to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of F gases is being taken by the European Union as part of its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. The UK has been active and supportive in the negotiation of the relevant EC Regulations, and has now taken the appropriate  steps to bring the necessary laws into effect in the UK..

As well as the guidance produced by F-Gas Support for interested parties within Great Britain, the European Commission has produced its own guidance on the EC F gas Regulation:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/fluor/publications_en.htm

Which EC Regulations apply?

There are two important EC Regulations:

  • EC Regulation 842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (the EC F gas Regulation), which aims to reduce emissions of HFCs, PFCs and SF6. This came into force in July 2007.
  • EC Regulation 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer (the Ozone Regulation), which phases out and controls remaining uses of ODS, and has been in force since 2000. (HCFCs are the main type of substance still to be phased out under this Regulation.)

The obligations in these Regulations are fleshed out by a number of European Commission Regulations that provide extra detail and introduce minimum requirements which must be complied with.

GB Regulations

The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009 (the FGG Regulations 2009) came into force on 9 March 2009 and revoked and replaced the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2008. The FGG Regulations 2009 apply to Great Britain (Northern Ireland have their own Regulations).  They set out the legal obligations for companies and qualification requirements for personnel working in five industry sectors covered by the EC F gas Regulation as well as dealing with other requirements relating to:

  • Leakage checking
  • Recovery
  • Reporting
  • Labelling
  • Prohibition of use
  • Placing on the market prohibitions

The five sectors affected are:

  • Stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps
  • Fire protection systems and fire extinguishers
  • Mobile air conditioning
  • High voltage switchgear
  • Solvents

The FGG Regulations 2009 also contain powers for authorised persons to enforce the provisions within the Regulations. 

A public consultation on the FGG Regulations 2009 was held between 11 July and 3 October 2008. The Summary of Responses and Full Impact Assessment from this consultation is given below:

Where to get copies of the regulations

See also:

Page last modified: 29 September, 2009
Page published: 24 July 2008

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