Environmental guidance for your business in Northern Ireland & Scotland
Some specialist manufacturing activities use fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). Ensure that you comply with any F-gas obligations that apply to your business.
Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and electronics manufacturers
If you manufacture or supply MDIs, or produce electronics components, you must:
GOV.UK: F-gases Guidance for users, producers and traders
EUROPA: Standard reporting template
OCF manufacturers must no longer use F-gases. OCF importers and distributors must not source OCF manufactured after 4 July 2008 that contain F-gases. Retailers must not sell OCF containing F-gas if it was manufactured after 4 July 2008.
Using F-gas as a propellant in novelty aerosols is also banned. However, it can still be used in technical aerosols.
Die casters are banned from using sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), except where they use less than 850 kilograms per year (kg/year). If you are a magnesium smelter or sand caster using less than 850kg/year of SF6, you should still consider using an alternative gas. This will have less impact on global warming and may also save you money.
From I January 2018 the use of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is banned for magnesium die-casting, and for the recycling of magnesium die-casting alloys for installations using less than 850kg per year.
If your business performs recovery work and takes delivery of F-gas containers you must employ appropriately qualified personnel to do such work. The person physically taking delivery doesn't need to be qualified if they don't perform recovery work.
If you import or export more than 1 tonne of F-gases, you must report any relevant data about the quantities to the European Commission. You must also send a copy to Defra.
If you produce or use insulation foam containing F-gases you must:
If you directly import more than 1 tonne per year of F-gas, or preparations containing F-gas where the preparation has a global warming potential of 150 or more, for use in foam production from outside the EU, you must report it to the European Commission. You must also send a copy of the report to Defra.
High voltage switchgear is mainly used in the electricity supply industry. If you operate high voltage switchgear that contains SF6 you must:
It is good practice to keep records for switchgear containing 3 kilograms or more of F-gas.
GOV.UK: F-gases guidance for users, producers and traders
EUROPA: Standard reporting template
What is the 2020 refrigeration F-gas ban?
Phase down of F-gases 2015 – 2030
Calculating the equipment charge as CO2 equivalent
Stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps: F-gas controls
Mobile air conditioning (cars and vans): F-gas controls
Solvent cleaning: F-gas controls
Producing and supplying fluids: F-gas controls
Specialist uses of F-gases
Groundwater in Northern Ireland, DAERA have produced a leaflet to raise awareness about this untapped resource
EU Exit, EU Exit useful information
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