The new F-Gas Regulation – moving towards lower GWP refrigerants with Panasonic Heating and Cooling Solutions

After more than a year of negotiations between the EU institutions, the new F-Gas Regulation was officially published in February 2024 and enters into force in March 2024. Panasonic Heating & Cooling Solutions has been a leader over the past decade for the move towards using lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in our equipment, where both feasible and effective. 

The new Regulation replaces the older F-Gas Regulation 517/2014, which has been in force since 2014. Policymakers from the European Parliament and Member States set higher ambitions for the next decades with a full phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 2050, setting ambitious bans on certain F-Gases and adapting the rules on maintenance and servicing. HFCs are a harmful greenhouse gas which depletes the ozone layer and contributes to global warming when emitted.

Phase-out of HFCs by 2050

One of the most notable changes within the new F-Gas Regulation is the complete phase-out of HFCs by 2050 (not other refrigerants such as HFOs or natural refrigerants). The phase-out sets a long-term vision by the EU to choose lower GWP refrigerants, such as the natural refrigerant R290, by decreasing the available quota of HFCs on the market every 3 years. The new phase down will start in 2025, from 2033 onwards there will be a more gradual decrease until a complete phase-out in 2050.  

Figure 1: Comparison of phase-down/out paths.

Placing on the market bans for RACHP applications

To set the phase-out on a more guided path, it has been complemented by a set of bans for the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump (RACHP) sector that aim to gradually lower the allowed GWP for refrigerants for different applications and in some cases even a full F-Gases ban for certain equipment and capacities. A step-by-step approach for different applications has been taken to allow manufacturers to research and develop high-efficient systems that run on low-GWP refrigerants. 

The bans come with a safety clause, under which higher GWP refrigerants are still allowed if safety standards and conditions cannot be met during installation. Wherever possible, the lower GWP refrigerants will be the primary and mandatory option. In cases where this option cannot meet safety standards or installation requirements, R32 or R410A equipment can still be installed, this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the installers. During implementation of the Regulation it is important that this clause remains the exception rather than the rule, as it would undermine the objectives of the new legislation.

Panasonic, being a frontrunner in the heat pump market by introducing systems running on R290 for residential uses through our Aquarea L-series and for commercial uses, the ECOi-W AQUA-G BLUE for light and medium commercial applications up to 80 kW, our CO2 refrigeration condensing units, but also our R32 splits, is already steps ahead of the future obligations. Choosing Panasonic equipment ensures you’re at the forefront of the new regulations.

Maintenance and servicing

The maintenance and servicing rules for the full RACHP sector has changed as well. For refrigeration equipment, the maintenance or servicing of equipment that using virgin refrigerants with a GWP of 2.500 or more is prohibited from 2025 onwards. When working with reclaimed or recycled refrigerants, the ban enters into force in 2030. From 2032 the maintenance and servicing ban will apply to refrigeration equipment using virgin refrigerants with a GWP of 750 or more, with the exclusion of chillers. Our condensing units rely on CO2 since more than a decade and remain a key technology that comply today’s and tomorrows obligation. 

The rules are slightly different for air-conditioners and heat pumps. Here the maintenance and servicing using virgin refrigerants with a GWP higher than 2.500 is prohibited from 2026 onwards, when using reclaimed or recycled refrigerants this is prohibited from 2032 onwards. The 2.500 GWP limit does not impact refrigerants such as R410A or R32, meaning Panasonic products that have been on the market in recent years are not impacted and will have no issues with maintenance or servicing.

Training and certification

The new Regulation has strengthened the requirement for adding training and certification on relevant natural refrigerant alternatives for the installation, reparation, maintenance, servicing and decommissioning of RACHP, besides training on how to work with F-Gases. Panasonic is committed to supporting this and has been actively incorporating training and certification on natural refrigerants in our 43 training centers in 22 European countries over the past decade.

Panasonic will continue to deliver innovative and efficient solutions

Panasonic is well placed to deliver innovative and highly efficient solutions to the market. As a company we have always valued a combination of highly efficient and sustainable solutions. We have started the journey years ago and will continue doing so in 2024 and beyond.