Environmental guidance for your business in Northern Ireland & Scotland
Refrigeration and air conditioning
Stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RAC) systems are one of the largest sources of fluorinated greenhouse gas (F-gas) emissions. F-gases commonly used in RAC systems are:
- hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) - HFC 23, HFC 134a, HFC 152a
- perfluorocarbons (PFCs) - PFC 218, R 218, Refrigerant 218.
Responsibility for F-gas obligations
Most of the key F-gas obligations lie with the operator. An operator is a person or business who has actual power over the technical functioning of the equipment. This includes:
- free access to the system, eg supervising its components or functioning
- control over the day-to-day running or function
- powers, including financial, to decide on technical modifications, F-gas quantity modifications or have repairs carried out.
The owner of the equipment is usually the operator unless such functions have been transferred.
What you must do
Key F-gas obligations
If you operate RAC equipment containing F-gases, you must meet legal obligations.
Prevent leakage - where it is technically feasible and does not entail disproportionate cost, you must prevent leakage of F-gas refrigerants, and repair any discovered leaks as soon as possible.
Check leaks regularly - how often you are required to check (using certified personnel) depends on the type of system and the equipment charge CO2 equivalent of F-gas refrigerants used.
Leak testing frequencies
| Equipment charge | Frequency of leak checks | Frequency of checks if leak detection fitted |
| <5 tonnes CO2 equivalent | N/A | N/A |
| 5 to <10 tonnes CO2 equivalent | If hermetically sealed N/A otherwise 12 months | If hermetically sealed N/A Otherwise 24 months |
| 10 - <50 tonnes CO2 equivalent | 12 Months | 24 Months |
| 50 – 500 tonnes CO2 equivalent | 6 months | 12 months |
| > 500 tonnes CO2 equivalent | 3 months | 6 months |
From 1 January 2017, equipment that contains less than 3 kg of f-gas (or if hermetically sealed contains less than 6kg of f-gas) will have to be leak tested if the equipment charge in tonnes CO2 equivalent is greater than 5 tonnes. There was previously a derogation from this requirement.
The system must be checked within a month after a leak has been repaired to ensure that the repair has been effective.
Install automatic leak detection systems
You must fit a leak detection system to equipment with a contained charge > 500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This system must be checked every 6 months.
Maintain records
You must keep records on all systems containing F-gases including:
- quantity and type of F-gas in the system
- a calculation of the equipment charge in terms of tonnes of its CO2 equivalent quantity of refrigerant recovered through servicing, maintenance and disposal
- identity of business or personnel servicing or maintaining the system, and the dates and results of leak checks and leak detection system checks.
The business that carries out servicing must also maintain these records.
Recover gas
If F-gas refrigerant is removed from any system, it must be properly recovered by appropriately certified personnel during servicing and decommissioning. You must also ensure that all F-gases that are not recycled or reclaimed are disposed of correctly.
Label equipment
Refrigeration and air conditioning equipment must be correctly labelled. The label must be clearly visible, for example close to a service point. This will include:
- that the equipment contains f-gases
- which f-gas is contained
- the charge size
From 1 January 2017 the label must also indicate:
- the CO2 equivalent of the charge
- the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the f-gas contained
Get certified
IMPORTANT - Action needed by 31st Oct 2019 if businesses/employees possess certificates for work with F-gases or ozone depleting substances in products/equipment and work in the Republic of Ireland’s jurisdiction - Find out what you need to do here >>>
Any personnel carrying out leak checking, gas recovery, installation, maintenance or servicing of equipment containing F-gas must be appropriately qualified.
GOV.UK: Qualifications required to work with equipment containing F-gas
The person physically taking delivery of F-gas containers does not need to be qualified unless they also perform installation, servicing or repair work.
Hold company certificates
Businesses that install, maintain or service the equipment must also hold the relevant company certification. The designated certification bodies in the UK are Refcom, Quidos and Bureau Veritas. To get a company certificate you must be able to show that your staff who perform the relevant work hold the correct F-gas qualification, you have the correct tools and procedures available and you have enough staff to cover the work you do.
GOV.UK: Certification for companies working on equipment containing F-gas
Submit reports
If your business produces, reclaims, imports or exports more than 1 tonne of F-gas per year you must complete a report and send it to the European Environment Agency and:
- In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency
- In Scotland, Defra
Reporting to the European Environment Agency is done online
Don't use non-refillable containers
Use of non-refillable containers for transporting and storing F-gases is banned. You must not place non-refillable containers on the market, except for those manufactured (filled with refrigerant) before 4 July 2007.
Alternatives to F-gases
You may wish to consider alternatives to F-gases. However, alternatives may also have restrictions on their use and you should consider the overall environmental impact (eg taking into account energy efficiency) and factors such as health and safety when making your choice. Commonly used alternative refrigerants include:
- ammonia
- carbon dioxide
- hydrocarbons, eg butane and propane.
The phase down of F-gas will mean that progressively less will be available over coming years, starting with the F-gases with the highest GWP.
Further information
GOV.UK: F-gas: Guidance for users, producers and traders
Real Zero: minimising leaks from refrigeration systems
In this Guideline
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
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