You must have your own qualifications to work on equipment containing fluorinated gases (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS), even if you work for someone else. It is against the law to work with F gas if you do not have the correct qualifications. You could receive a civil penalty for breaking the law.

If you see someone working with F gas that doesn’t have the right certification, report it to f-gassuport@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Qualifications to work with F gas and ODS

You must have appropriate training and qualifications if you are working on:

• stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems (including heat pumps)
• stationary fire protection systems
• mobile air conditioning systems
• electrical switchgear
• recovering solvents
• other F gas / ODS equipment not specified

Find out more about the qualifications you need to work with F gas and the organisations that offer these qualifications.

Company certification to work with F gas and ODS

Your company, including sole traders, must be certified by an approved body to service stationary equipment containing F gas operated by others. This includes:

• air conditioning
• refrigeration
• fire protection

You don’t need a company certificate to service:

• refrigerated trucks and trailers
• high voltage switchgear
• car and van mobile air-conditioners

Your company must be certified to:

• install
• repair
• maintain
• decommission

If your company services only your own equipment, it doesn’t need to be certified - but any individual who works with and handles F gas must have personal qualifications to work with F gas.

Find out more about when you need company certification to work with F gas and how to get it.

Working in the Republic of Ireland and the EU

Certificates for individuals and companies gained from a United Kingdom-based certification body are no longer valid for F gas and ODS work in the Republic of Ireland and the European Union.

You will need to undertake training with a training provider linked to a certification body approved by an EU Member State to obtain the appropriate certificate. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency has more information on how to obtain certfication.

Governments have introduced legislation to restrict and phase down the use of fluorinated gases (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

The phase down of F gas is designed to steadily reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of all gases placed on the market in refrigeration, heat pumps and air conditioning in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The current EU F-Gas Regulation (which continues to apply in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol) aims to:

• limit the total amount of the most important F gas that can be sold in the EU from 2015 onwards and phasing them down, helping move towards more climate-friendly technologies
• ban the use of F gas in many new types of equipment where less harmful alternatives are widely available
• prevent emissions of F gas from existing equipment by requiring checks, proper servicing and recovery of the gases at the end of the equipment's life

The overall aim is for F gas use to be cut by two thirds by 2030 compared with 2014 levels.

Find out more about EU legislation to control F gas.

2022 ban on placing types of refrigeration and freezer equipment on the market

From 1 January 2022 businesses cannot place on the market the following two categories of refrigeration equipment containing F gas:

• new refrigerators and freezers for commercial use (hermetically sealed equipment) that contain F gas with GWP of 150 or more
• new multipack centralised refrigeration systems for commercial use with a rated cooling capacity of 40 kW or more that contain, or whose functioning relies upon, F gas with GWP of 150 or more, except in the primary refrigerant circuit of cascade systems where F gas with a GWP of less than 1,500 may be used

Find out more about the 2022 ban on placing types of refrigeration and freezer equipment on the market.

2020 ban on certain types of refrigerants containing F gas

From 1 January 2020 there is a prohibition on certain types of refrigerants with a greenhouse warming potential (GWP) greater than 2500 being used to service or refill refrigeration or freezer systems in Northern Ireland.

This ban applies to many commonly used refrigeration or freezer systems by many businesses. It applies to F gas in applications including:

• small hermetically sealed systems
• condensing units
• central pack systems

Find out more about the 2020 ban on certain types of refrigerants containing F gas.

Banned ozone-depleting substances

ODS has been largely phased out throughout Europe, but can still be found in older equipment. There are also a few exceptions for certain uses.

You must not use hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), including recycled or reclaimed HCFCs:

• in new equipment
• to service equipment

You can still use equipment that contains HCFCs.

You can only produce and market ODS as a feedstock for producing non-ODS substances, eg non-stick coatings, and for laboratory and analytical work. You must clearly label feedstock ODS and indicate that it can only be used for that purpose.

Some equipment still in use may contain banned or controlled ODS, and may also be traded illegally. You should be aware of which are banned, where you might find them and what to do if you discover them.

Find out more about restrictions on the use of ozone depleting substances.

Last updated 28 November 2022

Northern Ireland remains in the European Union fluorinated gas (F gas) system under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Moving F gas from GB to NI

To move hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the most common type of F gas, from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to NI, you must comply with EU quota and registration requirements.

If you bring HFCs into NI from GB, you must:

• register on the EU HFC Registry
• have sufficient EU quota, quota authorisation or delegations to cover the amount of HFC you’re importing
• make a customs declaration - you can use the Trader Support Service
• include export consignments from GB to NI in your annual F gas report

If you export HFCs from GB, you must include your exports to NI in your annual GB HFC report.

Moving F gas from NI to GB

To move HFCs from NI to GB, you must comply with GB quota and registration requirements.

You must:

• register on the GB F gas service
• have enough quota, quota authorisations or delegations to cover the amount of HFC you’re importing to GB
• make a customs declaration - you can use the Trader Support Service
• include imports from NI in your annual GB HFC report
• complete a declaration of conformity to certify that the HFCs in the equipment are covered by a quota authorisation or delegation
• include exports to GB in your annual EU HFC report.

Customs declaration and the Goods Vehicle Movement Service

Before moving HFCs from certain NI ports to GB, you must:

1. Make a customs declaration on the Customs Declaration Service - this generates a declaration unique consignment reference (DUCR).
2. Create a new goods movement reference (GMR) for the move using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service - the haulier will need the DUCR to do this.

Fluorinated gases (F gases) have a very high greenhouse warming potential (GWP), much higher than carbon dioxide, and contribute to rising global temperatures.

Most F gases are used as refrigerants in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, but also as blowing agents, aerosol propellants and solvents.

Types of alternatives to F gases

There are alternatives to commonly used F gases which can be applied in different business sectors.

F gas alternatives include:

• natural refrigerants
• lower GWP F gases
• hydrofluoroolefins
• blends

F gas alternative uses

Alternatives to F gas use in certain sectors and applications include:

• Commercial refrigeration - small stores and supermarkets can use plug-in equipment such as vending machines which rely on hydrocarbons or CO2. In large refrigeration systems for supermarkets, CO2 cascade systems are an alternative in large refrigeration systems for supermarkets.
• Industrial refrigeration - ammonia systems are a popular and established replacement option in industrial refrigeration, such as large cooling facilities for food processing or process cooling in the chemical industry. Cascade systems with ammonia and CO2 can be installed in the food and beverage industry.
• Stationary air conditioning - hydrocarbons are safely used as alternative refrigerants in room air conditioning systems in several countries. Hydrocarbons and ammonia are safe and energy-efficient alternatives to F gases in chillers. Heat pumps are also used with hydrocarbons and CO2.
• Domestic refrigeration - hydrocarbon refrigerants have replaced the use of F gases since the mid-1990s.
• Mobile air conditioning - The refrigerant R134a used in air conditioning of cars is prohibited in new cars by the MAC Directive. The main substitute is the R1234yf. The only alternative to this is CO2, which is currently used by some car manufacturers and is expected to become available as an alternative in the future for duty vehicles, busses and trains.
• Transport refrigeration - CO2 can be used as an alternative in refrigerated containers.
• Foam blowing - Polyurethane (PU) foam manufacturing already relies on hydrocarbons such as pentane or cyclo-pentane without loss in energy efficiency. F gases are mainly limited to on-site application of PU spray foam. For this and some niche applications, unsaturated F gases are already commercially available. Extruded polystyrene (XPS) manufacturers of insulation boards have already converted their production facilities to organic solvents or hydrofluoroolefins.

Find more detail on F gas alternatives.

You must have your own qualifications to work on equipment containing fluorinated gases (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS), even if you work for someone else. It is against the law to work with F gas if you do not have the correct qualifications. You could receive a civil penalty for breaking the law.

If you see someone working with F gas that doesn’t have the right certification, report it to f-gassuport@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Qualifications to work with F gas and ODS

You must have appropriate training and qualifications if you are working on:

• stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems (including heat pumps)
• stationary fire protection systems
• mobile air conditioning systems
• electrical switchgear
• recovering solvents
• other F gas / ODS equipment not specified

Find out more about the qualifications you need to work with F gas and the organisations that offer these qualifications.

Company certification to work with F gas and ODS

Your company, including sole traders, must be certified by an approved body to service stationary equipment containing F gas operated by others. This includes:

• air conditioning
• refrigeration
• fire protection

You don’t need a company certificate to service:

• refrigerated trucks and trailers
• high voltage switchgear
• car and van mobile air-conditioners

Your company must be certified to:

• install
• repair
• maintain
• decommission

If your company services only your own equipment, it doesn’t need to be certified - but any individual who works with and handles F gas must have personal qualifications to work with F gas.

Find out more about when you need company certification to work with F gas and how to get it.

Working in the Republic of Ireland and the EU

Certificates for individuals and companies gained from a United Kingdom-based certification body are no longer valid for F gas and ODS work in the Republic of Ireland and the European Union.

You will need to undertake training with a training provider linked to a certification body approved by an EU Member State to obtain the appropriate certificate. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency has more information on how to obtain certfication.

Governments have introduced legislation to restrict and phase down the use of fluorinated gases (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

The phase down of F gas is designed to steadily reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of all gases placed on the market in refrigeration, heat pumps and air conditioning in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The current EU F-Gas Regulation (which continues to apply in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol) aims to:

• limit the total amount of the most important F gas that can be sold in the EU from 2015 onwards and phasing them down, helping move towards more climate-friendly technologies
• ban the use of F gas in many new types of equipment where less harmful alternatives are widely available
• prevent emissions of F gas from existing equipment by requiring checks, proper servicing and recovery of the gases at the end of the equipment's life

The overall aim is for F gas use to be cut by two thirds by 2030 compared with 2014 levels.

Find out more about EU legislation to control F gas.

2022 ban on placing types of refrigeration and freezer equipment on the market

From 1 January 2022 businesses cannot place on the market the following two categories of refrigeration equipment containing F gas:

• new refrigerators and freezers for commercial use (hermetically sealed equipment) that contain F gas with GWP of 150 or more
• new multipack centralised refrigeration systems for commercial use with a rated cooling capacity of 40 kW or more that contain, or whose functioning relies upon, F gas with GWP of 150 or more, except in the primary refrigerant circuit of cascade systems where F gas with a GWP of less than 1,500 may be used

Find out more about the 2022 ban on placing types of refrigeration and freezer equipment on the market.

2020 ban on certain types of refrigerants containing F gas

From 1 January 2020 there is a prohibition on certain types of refrigerants with a greenhouse warming potential (GWP) greater than 2500 being used to service or refill refrigeration or freezer systems in Northern Ireland.

This ban applies to many commonly used refrigeration or freezer systems by many businesses. It applies to F gas in applications including:

• small hermetically sealed systems
• condensing units
• central pack systems

Find out more about the 2020 ban on certain types of refrigerants containing F gas.

Banned ozone-depleting substances

ODS has been largely phased out throughout Europe, but can still be found in older equipment. There are also a few exceptions for certain uses.

You must not use hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), including recycled or reclaimed HCFCs:

• in new equipment
• to service equipment

You can still use equipment that contains HCFCs.

You can only produce and market ODS as a feedstock for producing non-ODS substances, eg non-stick coatings, and for laboratory and analytical work. You must clearly label feedstock ODS and indicate that it can only be used for that purpose.

Some equipment still in use may contain banned or controlled ODS, and may also be traded illegally. You should be aware of which are banned, where you might find them and what to do if you discover them.

Find out more about restrictions on the use of ozone depleting substances.

Last updated 28 November 2022

Northern Ireland remains in the European Union fluorinated gas (F gas) system under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Moving F gas from GB to NI

To move hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the most common type of F gas, from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to NI, you must comply with EU quota and registration requirements.

If you bring HFCs into NI from GB, you must:

• register on the EU HFC Registry
• have sufficient EU quota, quota authorisation or delegations to cover the amount of HFC you’re importing
• make a customs declaration - you can use the Trader Support Service
• include export consignments from GB to NI in your annual F gas report

If you export HFCs from GB, you must include your exports to NI in your annual GB HFC report.

Moving F gas from NI to GB

To move HFCs from NI to GB, you must comply with GB quota and registration requirements.

You must:

• register on the GB F gas service
• have enough quota, quota authorisations or delegations to cover the amount of HFC you’re importing to GB
• make a customs declaration - you can use the Trader Support Service
• include imports from NI in your annual GB HFC report
• complete a declaration of conformity to certify that the HFCs in the equipment are covered by a quota authorisation or delegation
• include exports to GB in your annual EU HFC report.

Customs declaration and the Goods Vehicle Movement Service

Before moving HFCs from certain NI ports to GB, you must:

1. Make a customs declaration on the Customs Declaration Service - this generates a declaration unique consignment reference (DUCR).
2. Create a new goods movement reference (GMR) for the move using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service - the haulier will need the DUCR to do this.

Fluorinated gases (F gases) have a very high greenhouse warming potential (GWP), much higher than carbon dioxide, and contribute to rising global temperatures.

Most F gases are used as refrigerants in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, but also as blowing agents, aerosol propellants and solvents.

Types of alternatives to F gases

There are alternatives to commonly used F gases which can be applied in different business sectors.

F gas alternatives include:

• natural refrigerants
• lower GWP F gases
• hydrofluoroolefins
• blends

F gas alternative uses

Alternatives to F gas use in certain sectors and applications include:

• Commercial refrigeration - small stores and supermarkets can use plug-in equipment such as vending machines which rely on hydrocarbons or CO2. In large refrigeration systems for supermarkets, CO2 cascade systems are an alternative in large refrigeration systems for supermarkets.
• Industrial refrigeration - ammonia systems are a popular and established replacement option in industrial refrigeration, such as large cooling facilities for food processing or process cooling in the chemical industry. Cascade systems with ammonia and CO2 can be installed in the food and beverage industry.
• Stationary air conditioning - hydrocarbons are safely used as alternative refrigerants in room air conditioning systems in several countries. Hydrocarbons and ammonia are safe and energy-efficient alternatives to F gases in chillers. Heat pumps are also used with hydrocarbons and CO2.
• Domestic refrigeration - hydrocarbon refrigerants have replaced the use of F gases since the mid-1990s.
• Mobile air conditioning - The refrigerant R134a used in air conditioning of cars is prohibited in new cars by the MAC Directive. The main substitute is the R1234yf. The only alternative to this is CO2, which is currently used by some car manufacturers and is expected to become available as an alternative in the future for duty vehicles, busses and trains.
• Transport refrigeration - CO2 can be used as an alternative in refrigerated containers.
• Foam blowing - Polyurethane (PU) foam manufacturing already relies on hydrocarbons such as pentane or cyclo-pentane without loss in energy efficiency. F gases are mainly limited to on-site application of PU spray foam. For this and some niche applications, unsaturated F gases are already commercially available. Extruded polystyrene (XPS) manufacturers of insulation boards have already converted their production facilities to organic solvents or hydrofluoroolefins.

Find more detail on F gas alternatives.

You must have your own qualifications to work on equipment containing fluorinated gases (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS), even if you work for someone else. It is against the law to work with F gas if you do not have the correct qualifications. You could receive a civil penalty for breaking the law.

If you see someone working with F gas that doesn’t have the right certification, report it to f-gassuport@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Qualifications to work with F gas and ODS

You must have appropriate training and qualifications if you are working on:

• stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems (including heat pumps)
• stationary fire protection systems
• mobile air conditioning systems
• electrical switchgear
• recovering solvents
• other F gas / ODS equipment not specified

Find out more about the qualifications you need to work with F gas and the organisations that offer these qualifications.

Company certification to work with F gas and ODS

Your company, including sole traders, must be certified by an approved body to service stationary equipment containing F gas operated by others. This includes:

• air conditioning
• refrigeration
• fire protection

You don’t need a company certificate to service:

• refrigerated trucks and trailers
• high voltage switchgear
• car and van mobile air-conditioners

Your company must be certified to:

• install
• repair
• maintain
• decommission

If your company services only your own equipment, it doesn’t need to be certified - but any individual who works with and handles F gas must have personal qualifications to work with F gas.

Find out more about when you need company certification to work with F gas and how to get it.

Working in the Republic of Ireland and the EU

Certificates for individuals and companies gained from a United Kingdom-based certification body are no longer valid for F gas and ODS work in the Republic of Ireland and the European Union.

You will need to undertake training with a training provider linked to a certification body approved by an EU Member State to obtain the appropriate certificate. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency has more information on how to obtain certfication.

Governments have introduced legislation to restrict and phase down the use of fluorinated gases (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

The phase down of F gas is designed to steadily reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of all gases placed on the market in refrigeration, heat pumps and air conditioning in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The current EU F-Gas Regulation (which continues to apply in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol) aims to:

• limit the total amount of the most important F gas that can be sold in the EU from 2015 onwards and phasing them down, helping move towards more climate-friendly technologies
• ban the use of F gas in many new types of equipment where less harmful alternatives are widely available
• prevent emissions of F gas from existing equipment by requiring checks, proper servicing and recovery of the gases at the end of the equipment's life

The overall aim is for F gas use to be cut by two thirds by 2030 compared with 2014 levels.

Find out more about EU legislation to control F gas.

2022 ban on placing types of refrigeration and freezer equipment on the market

From 1 January 2022 businesses cannot place on the market the following two categories of refrigeration equipment containing F gas:

• new refrigerators and freezers for commercial use (hermetically sealed equipment) that contain F gas with GWP of 150 or more
• new multipack centralised refrigeration systems for commercial use with a rated cooling capacity of 40 kW or more that contain, or whose functioning relies upon, F gas with GWP of 150 or more, except in the primary refrigerant circuit of cascade systems where F gas with a GWP of less than 1,500 may be used

Find out more about the 2022 ban on placing types of refrigeration and freezer equipment on the market.

2020 ban on certain types of refrigerants containing F gas

From 1 January 2020 there is a prohibition on certain types of refrigerants with a greenhouse warming potential (GWP) greater than 2500 being used to service or refill refrigeration or freezer systems in Northern Ireland.

This ban applies to many commonly used refrigeration or freezer systems by many businesses. It applies to F gas in applications including:

• small hermetically sealed systems
• condensing units
• central pack systems

Find out more about the 2020 ban on certain types of refrigerants containing F gas.

Banned ozone-depleting substances

ODS has been largely phased out throughout Europe, but can still be found in older equipment. There are also a few exceptions for certain uses.

You must not use hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), including recycled or reclaimed HCFCs:

• in new equipment
• to service equipment

You can still use equipment that contains HCFCs.

You can only produce and market ODS as a feedstock for producing non-ODS substances, eg non-stick coatings, and for laboratory and analytical work. You must clearly label feedstock ODS and indicate that it can only be used for that purpose.

Some equipment still in use may contain banned or controlled ODS, and may also be traded illegally. You should be aware of which are banned, where you might find them and what to do if you discover them.

Find out more about restrictions on the use of ozone depleting substances.

Last updated 28 November 2022

Northern Ireland remains in the European Union fluorinated gas (F gas) system under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Moving F gas from GB to NI

To move hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the most common type of F gas, from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to NI, you must comply with EU quota and registration requirements.

If you bring HFCs into NI from GB, you must:

• register on the EU HFC Registry
• have sufficient EU quota, quota authorisation or delegations to cover the amount of HFC you’re importing
• make a customs declaration - you can use the Trader Support Service
• include export consignments from GB to NI in your annual F gas report

If you export HFCs from GB, you must include your exports to NI in your annual GB HFC report.

Moving F gas from NI to GB

To move HFCs from NI to GB, you must comply with GB quota and registration requirements.

You must:

• register on the GB F gas service
• have enough quota, quota authorisations or delegations to cover the amount of HFC you’re importing to GB
• make a customs declaration - you can use the Trader Support Service
• include imports from NI in your annual GB HFC report
• complete a declaration of conformity to certify that the HFCs in the equipment are covered by a quota authorisation or delegation
• include exports to GB in your annual EU HFC report.

Customs declaration and the Goods Vehicle Movement Service

Before moving HFCs from certain NI ports to GB, you must:

1. Make a customs declaration on the Customs Declaration Service - this generates a declaration unique consignment reference (DUCR).
2. Create a new goods movement reference (GMR) for the move using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service - the haulier will need the DUCR to do this.

Fluorinated gases (F gases) have a very high greenhouse warming potential (GWP), much higher than carbon dioxide, and contribute to rising global temperatures.

Most F gases are used as refrigerants in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, but also as blowing agents, aerosol propellants and solvents.

Types of alternatives to F gases

There are alternatives to commonly used F gases which can be applied in different business sectors.

F gas alternatives include:

• natural refrigerants
• lower GWP F gases
• hydrofluoroolefins
• blends

F gas alternative uses

Alternatives to F gas use in certain sectors and applications include:

• Commercial refrigeration - small stores and supermarkets can use plug-in equipment such as vending machines which rely on hydrocarbons or CO2. In large refrigeration systems for supermarkets, CO2 cascade systems are an alternative in large refrigeration systems for supermarkets.
• Industrial refrigeration - ammonia systems are a popular and established replacement option in industrial refrigeration, such as large cooling facilities for food processing or process cooling in the chemical industry. Cascade systems with ammonia and CO2 can be installed in the food and beverage industry.
• Stationary air conditioning - hydrocarbons are safely used as alternative refrigerants in room air conditioning systems in several countries. Hydrocarbons and ammonia are safe and energy-efficient alternatives to F gases in chillers. Heat pumps are also used with hydrocarbons and CO2.
• Domestic refrigeration - hydrocarbon refrigerants have replaced the use of F gases since the mid-1990s.
• Mobile air conditioning - The refrigerant R134a used in air conditioning of cars is prohibited in new cars by the MAC Directive. The main substitute is the R1234yf. The only alternative to this is CO2, which is currently used by some car manufacturers and is expected to become available as an alternative in the future for duty vehicles, busses and trains.
• Transport refrigeration - CO2 can be used as an alternative in refrigerated containers.
• Foam blowing - Polyurethane (PU) foam manufacturing already relies on hydrocarbons such as pentane or cyclo-pentane without loss in energy efficiency. F gases are mainly limited to on-site application of PU spray foam. For this and some niche applications, unsaturated F gases are already commercially available. Extruded polystyrene (XPS) manufacturers of insulation boards have already converted their production facilities to organic solvents or hydrofluoroolefins.

Find more detail on F gas alternatives.

You must have your own qualifications to work on equipment containing fluorinated gases (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS), even if you work for someone else. It is against the law to work with F gas if you do not have the correct qualifications. You could receive a civil penalty for breaking the law.

If you see someone working with F gas that doesn’t have the right certification, report it to f-gassuport@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Qualifications to work with F gas and ODS

You must have appropriate training and qualifications if you are working on:

• stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems (including heat pumps)
• stationary fire protection systems
• mobile air conditioning systems
• electrical switchgear
• recovering solvents
• other F gas / ODS equipment not specified

Find out more about the qualifications you need to work with F gas and the organisations that offer these qualifications.

Company certification to work with F gas and ODS

Your company, including sole traders, must be certified by an approved body to service stationary equipment containing F gas operated by others. This includes:

• air conditioning
• refrigeration
• fire protection

You don’t need a company certificate to service:

• refrigerated trucks and trailers
• high voltage switchgear
• car and van mobile air-conditioners

Your company must be certified to:

• install
• repair
• maintain
• decommission

If your company services only your own equipment, it doesn’t need to be certified - but any individual who works with and handles F gas must have personal qualifications to work with F gas.

Find out more about when you need company certification to work with F gas and how to get it.

Working in the Republic of Ireland and the EU

Certificates for individuals and companies gained from a United Kingdom-based certification body are no longer valid for F gas and ODS work in the Republic of Ireland and the European Union.

You will need to undertake training with a training provider linked to a certification body approved by an EU Member State to obtain the appropriate certificate. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency has more information on how to obtain certfication.

Governments have introduced legislation to restrict and phase down the use of fluorinated gases (F gas) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

The phase down of F gas is designed to steadily reduce the global warming potential (GWP) of all gases placed on the market in refrigeration, heat pumps and air conditioning in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

The current EU F-Gas Regulation (which continues to apply in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol) aims to:

• limit the total amount of the most important F gas that can be sold in the EU from 2015 onwards and phasing them down, helping move towards more climate-friendly technologies
• ban the use of F gas in many new types of equipment where less harmful alternatives are widely available
• prevent emissions of F gas from existing equipment by requiring checks, proper servicing and recovery of the gases at the end of the equipment's life

The overall aim is for F gas use to be cut by two thirds by 2030 compared with 2014 levels.

Find out more about EU legislation to control F gas.

2022 ban on placing types of refrigeration and freezer equipment on the market

From 1 January 2022 businesses cannot place on the market the following two categories of refrigeration equipment containing F gas:

• new refrigerators and freezers for commercial use (hermetically sealed equipment) that contain F gas with GWP of 150 or more
• new multipack centralised refrigeration systems for commercial use with a rated cooling capacity of 40 kW or more that contain, or whose functioning relies upon, F gas with GWP of 150 or more, except in the primary refrigerant circuit of cascade systems where F gas with a GWP of less than 1,500 may be used

Find out more about the 2022 ban on placing types of refrigeration and freezer equipment on the market.

2020 ban on certain types of refrigerants containing F gas

From 1 January 2020 there is a prohibition on certain types of refrigerants with a greenhouse warming potential (GWP) greater than 2500 being used to service or refill refrigeration or freezer systems in Northern Ireland.

This ban applies to many commonly used refrigeration or freezer systems by many businesses. It applies to F gas in applications including:

• small hermetically sealed systems
• condensing units
• central pack systems

Find out more about the 2020 ban on certain types of refrigerants containing F gas.

Banned ozone-depleting substances

ODS has been largely phased out throughout Europe, but can still be found in older equipment. There are also a few exceptions for certain uses.

You must not use hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), including recycled or reclaimed HCFCs:

• in new equipment
• to service equipment

You can still use equipment that contains HCFCs.

You can only produce and market ODS as a feedstock for producing non-ODS substances, eg non-stick coatings, and for laboratory and analytical work. You must clearly label feedstock ODS and indicate that it can only be used for that purpose.

Some equipment still in use may contain banned or controlled ODS, and may also be traded illegally. You should be aware of which are banned, where you might find them and what to do if you discover them.

Find out more about restrictions on the use of ozone depleting substances.

Last updated 28 November 2022

Northern Ireland remains in the European Union fluorinated gas (F gas) system under the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Moving F gas from GB to NI

To move hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the most common type of F gas, from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to NI, you must comply with EU quota and registration requirements.

If you bring HFCs into NI from GB, you must:

• register on the EU HFC Registry
• have sufficient EU quota, quota authorisation or delegations to cover the amount of HFC you’re importing
• make a customs declaration - you can use the Trader Support Service
• include export consignments from GB to NI in your annual F gas report

If you export HFCs from GB, you must include your exports to NI in your annual GB HFC report.

Moving F gas from NI to GB

To move HFCs from NI to GB, you must comply with GB quota and registration requirements.

You must:

• register on the GB F gas service
• have enough quota, quota authorisations or delegations to cover the amount of HFC you’re importing to GB
• make a customs declaration - you can use the Trader Support Service
• include imports from NI in your annual GB HFC report
• complete a declaration of conformity to certify that the HFCs in the equipment are covered by a quota authorisation or delegation
• include exports to GB in your annual EU HFC report.

Customs declaration and the Goods Vehicle Movement Service

Before moving HFCs from certain NI ports to GB, you must:

1. Make a customs declaration on the Customs Declaration Service - this generates a declaration unique consignment reference (DUCR).
2. Create a new goods movement reference (GMR) for the move using the Goods Vehicle Movement Service - the haulier will need the DUCR to do this.

Fluorinated gases (F gases) have a very high greenhouse warming potential (GWP), much higher than carbon dioxide, and contribute to rising global temperatures.

Most F gases are used as refrigerants in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, but also as blowing agents, aerosol propellants and solvents.

Types of alternatives to F gases

There are alternatives to commonly used F gases which can be applied in different business sectors.

F gas alternatives include:

• natural refrigerants
• lower GWP F gases
• hydrofluoroolefins
• blends

F gas alternative uses

Alternatives to F gas use in certain sectors and applications include:

• Commercial refrigeration - small stores and supermarkets can use plug-in equipment such as vending machines which rely on hydrocarbons or CO2. In large refrigeration systems for supermarkets, CO2 cascade systems are an alternative in large refrigeration systems for supermarkets.
• Industrial refrigeration - ammonia systems are a popular and established replacement option in industrial refrigeration, such as large cooling facilities for food processing or process cooling in the chemical industry. Cascade systems with ammonia and CO2 can be installed in the food and beverage industry.
• Stationary air conditioning - hydrocarbons are safely used as alternative refrigerants in room air conditioning systems in several countries. Hydrocarbons and ammonia are safe and energy-efficient alternatives to F gases in chillers. Heat pumps are also used with hydrocarbons and CO2.
• Domestic refrigeration - hydrocarbon refrigerants have replaced the use of F gases since the mid-1990s.
• Mobile air conditioning - The refrigerant R134a used in air conditioning of cars is prohibited in new cars by the MAC Directive. The main substitute is the R1234yf. The only alternative to this is CO2, which is currently used by some car manufacturers and is expected to become available as an alternative in the future for duty vehicles, busses and trains.
• Transport refrigeration - CO2 can be used as an alternative in refrigerated containers.
• Foam blowing - Polyurethane (PU) foam manufacturing already relies on hydrocarbons such as pentane or cyclo-pentane without loss in energy efficiency. F gases are mainly limited to on-site application of PU spray foam. For this and some niche applications, unsaturated F gases are already commercially available. Extruded polystyrene (XPS) manufacturers of insulation boards have already converted their production facilities to organic solvents or hydrofluoroolefins.

Find more detail on F gas alternatives.