What is it about?

F-gases (fluorinated greenhouse gases) are artificially produced substances used as refrigerants in heat pumps, air conditioning systems and refrigerators, as well as in sprays or insulation materials. They are often non-flammable and toxic, but have a greenhouse gas potential up to 23,500 times higher than CO2. Due to their extreme climate impact, they are being gradually replaced with natural alternatives under the new EU F-gas Regulation.

The regulation is a contribution to further reducing emissions from the industrial sector. The reduction of fluorinated greenhouse gas emissions is to be achieved through three key regulatory approaches:

  • Further gradual reduction (phase down) of quantities of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) available on the market,
  • Adoption of further restrictions on use and placing on the market where technically feasible, more climate-friendly alternatives are available, as well as new restrictions on commissioning,
  • Maintenance and supplementation of regulations on emission limits, leak detection testing, certification, disposal and labeling.

The F-gas Regulation is intended in particular to create an incentive for the use of alternatives instead of F-gases.

Who is affected?

  • Manufacturers
  • Importers
  • Exporters
  • Users

of fluorinated greenhouse gases as well as of products and equipment that contain these gases or require them for their operation.

  • Operators of equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases.

Which commodity codes are affected?

  • Commodity codes from chapters 28, 29, 32, 33, 35, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44, 64, 73, 76, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 94, 95 and 98 are affected
  • Measure types 724 and 765 in the Electronic Customs Tariff

Information on the specification of required document coding can be found here:

Export declaration Import declaration Dispatch declaration

Effects

Effects for importers

  • Comply with quotas (quota regulations for HFCs)
  • F-Gas Portal: Importers must register in the F-Gas Portal.
  • Valid license required
  • Verification of correctness of documents: Importers of pre-filled equipment must have the correctness of their documents, declaration of conformity and their report verified annually by an independent auditor.
  • Sole representative: Importers without an establishment in the EU need a sole representative established in the EU.

Effects for exporters

  • F-Gas Portal: Exporters must register in the F-Gas Portal.
  • Export ban: From 2028, the export of HFCs to countries that are not parties to the Protocol is prohibited.
  • Re-export: Re-export of illegally imported gases, products or equipment is prohibited
Frequently asked questions from the competent Federal Environment Agency