The ongoing review of the European F-Gas Regulation has come under attack from a group of international trade organisations.
The 15 bodies, including the UK’s Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA), are alarmed by the suggestion, made in a study commissioned by the EC, that hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants could be used in up to 90% of small heat pumps by 2025, and in all large split air conditioners and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems by 2030. A ban on the use of R410A in new stationary air conditioners and heat pumps is also proposed .
The trade bodies claim the modelling used is lacking in detail, and that many of the changes would be economically unviable and ignore safety rules around flammability and toxicity that could restrict the use of alternatives. They also say the study did not consider the contribution of heat pumps to energy efficiency goals and reductions in carbon emissions.
The UK has agreed to mirror the measures in the F-Gas Regulation, which is due to be revised this year.
