Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases entered into force on 11 March 2024. It replaces the 2014 regulation and organises the gradual reduction of refrigerants with a high global warming potential (GWP), used in many air conditioners and heat pumps.
What changes
- Bans on placing certain new equipment on the market apply in stages, depending on the type of unit (monobloc or split), its output and the GWP of its refrigerant.
- Manufacturers are moving to lower-impact refrigerants such as R32 or natural refrigerants like propane (R290).
- Leak checks and refrigerant handling remain restricted to companies holding a certificate of competence.
What it means for your project
Equipment already installed is not affected by these bans: it can keep running and be serviced. For a new project, the choice of model and refrigerant takes the European timetable into account: it is one of the points checked during the study, with the partner refrigeration installer.
See also our reversible air conditioning and heat pump pages.