Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases
The principle objective of EC Regulation No 842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (F gases) (The EC Regulation) is to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of F gases. As well as the EC Regulation, there are ten Commission Regulations which establish fleshed out legal requirements for companies and qualifications for personnel working in five industry sectors covered by the EC Regulation as well as dealing with other requirements relating to leakage checking, reporting and labelling.
The UK has transposed the EC Regulation through its 2009 GB F gas Regulation, which came into force in March 2009.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the lead Government Department on F gas policy. The Department for Transport (DfT) lead on the use of F gases in mobile air conditioning systems in motor vehicles through the Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) Directive.
Documents
1. The EC Regulation (No 842/2006) on certain F gases (PDF)
2. The MAC Directive (PDF)
3. The 2009 GB F gas Regulations (PDF)
Who is affected by the EC F gas Regulation?
The containment and recovery articles in the EC Regulation impact the commercial refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump sectors and the fire protection sector. It also impacts the personnel involved in the installation, servicing and recovery of F gases from these systems, as well as from equipment containing F gas based solvents, high voltage switchgear and fire extinguishers. Operators of relevant systems have a range of obligations including prompt leakage repair, leakage checking and record keeping and ensuring qualified personnel are used.
The EC Regulation will potentially impact a wider range of F gas users other than those set out above due to the recovery obligation in Article 4.3. It will also impact upon producers, importers and exporters of F gases if they produce, import or export more than 1 tonne of F gases per annum as they will have to report to the Commission and Member States’ competent authorities on the amounts produced, imported and exported.
In addition, specified products and equipment that contain F gases will be subject to labelling requirements and specific uses of F gases and products that contain F gases are controlled or banned by the EC Regulation. These cover certain uses of sulphur hexafluoride for magnesium diecasting, use of certain F gases in non-refillable containers, fire protection systems, tyres, one component foams, novelty aerosols, footwear and windows and self chilling cans.
Guidance and interpretation:
The Commission has produced a guidance and interpretation document that provides the view of the Commission Services on various issues of the EC Regulation as a result of discussions with Member States. This should not be considered as a legally binding document. The Commission will update the guidance and interpretation document as new issues arise.
Commission’s guidance and interpretation paper on certain issues arising from EC Regulation No. 842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (DOC)
UK Government Guidance and F gas Support
Key obligations in the Regulation have applied in the UK and the rest of the EU since 4th July 2007. The Government is continuing to work with stakeholders to ensure that the EC Regulation is successfully implemented and it environmental objectives achieved. Information sheets have been published which provide guidance on compliance with the EC Regulation in relation to individual industry sectors.
Information sheets by sector (external link)
Defra is working closely with BSI, The Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, LACORS (Local Authorities’ Coordinators of Regulatory Services) and the devolved administrations (DAs) to prepare for the implementation of a risk based enforcement approach to the EC Regulation and the 2009 GB Regulations that creates offences and penalties for failure to comply.
F-Gas Support is a Government funded team set up to help organisations understand their obligations under both the EC F gas and Ozone Regulations. They will also be working with councils and national regulators to promote compliance with these important environmental regulations. F-Gas Support is being run on behalf of Defra and the DAs by LACORS and Enviros.
Future work relating to F gases:
There is to be a review of the EC Regulation in 2011 which will include an assessment as to the need for further activity by the European Community and its Member States in light of existing and new international commitments regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Minutes of F gas Industry Stakeholder meetings:
10 October 2008: Stakeholder minutes16 January 2009: Stakeholder minutes (PDF)
Contacts:
Anyone who would like to be included on our F gas stakeholder list for invites to stakeholder meetings or occasional mailings on the EC or GB F gas Regulations should send their details to: stephen.cowperthwaite@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Enquiries relating to F gas should be sent to:
F-Gas Support: PO Box 481, Salford, M50 3UD
Telephone Helpline: 0161 874 3663
Email: fgas-support@enviros.com
Website: www.defra.gov.uk/fgas
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ozone and F gas Team
Steven Cowperthwaite
Telephone: 0207 238 3179
Email: stephen.cowperthwaite@defra.gsi.gov.uk
