F-Gases

EU F-Gases Regulation - Latest Developments

Main elements Commission proposal addressed 4 aspects: 1. Containment and recovery measures 2. Training and Certification 3. Data reporting requirements 4. Marketing and use restrictions

Political Agreement One proposal but two legislative instruments: Directive on the phase out of HFCs > 150 GWP in mobile air conditioning systems Regulation on containment and recovery, use bans and prohibitions

Scope Political Agreement covers Fluorinated greenhouse gases in Kyoto Protocol Applies to fluorinated gases listed in Annex I together with respective GWPs GWPs base on third assessment of IPCC Annex I can be reviewed and updated in the light of revisions under Kyoto Protocol (Article5(3)) Preparations containing fluorinated greenhouse gases with a GWP < 150 not covered by provisions of the Regulation

Containment Obligation to minimise leakages and repair as soon as possible Frequency of inspection schedule Inspection by certified personnel Leakage detectors defined Operator defined, owner can be responsible for operator’s role Inspection for leakage defined Maintenance of records on inspections and servicing companies and personnel Commission to define standard inspection requirements in Committee

Inspection Schedule – Political Agreement Quantity of Fluorinated gases Inspections per year 3 kg or more and 6 kg if hermetically sealed 1 inspection 30 kg or more 3 inspections 300 kg or more 4 inspections 30 kg and 300 kg + leakage detector 1 inspection for 30 kg 2 inspections for 300 kg

Recovery Recovery an obligation for operators by certified personnel e.g. stationary equipment Recovery obligatory from non-refillable containers at end of life (refillable banned) Recovery in other products and equipment if technically possible and not disproportionate cost (e.g. foams, mobile air conditioning and refrigeration equipment except if serving military operations and mobile air conditioning) Recovery to take place before final disposal or during servicing and maintenance

Training and Certification Commission to establish minimum requirements and mutual recognition Member States to establish or adjust their programmes to comply and notify Commission Commission to establish notification format Training and certification covers relevant personnel and companies and their relevant personnel Operators have an obligation to ensure personnel used are trained and certified Only certified personnel to take delivery of F-gases F-gas Regulation could set training standards for ODS Regulation

Marketing and Use Restrictions Magnesium die-casting Vehicle tyres Vehicle air-conditioning Non-refillable containers Direct evaporation - self chilling drinks cans Fire protection systems Windows Footwear One-component foams Novelty aerosols

Committee One Committee, two Regulations F-gas discussed by Article 18 Management Committee in Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 on ‘Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer’ F-gas will be Regulatory Procedure, not Management Committee

2nd reading = Common Position? Deciding on the F-gas Regulation European Parliament 1st reading 2nd reading European Commission proposal 2nd reading = Common Position? Common position Council (Member States) no Council and Parliament negotiate through „Conciliation“ procedure Note: It is possible to agree already during “1st reading“ yes Law

Timetable for Implementation Assuming entry into force – 1 January 2007 Date Deadlines 1 January 2007 Commission to establish standard inspection requirements for refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps and fire fighting systems (Article 3) Commission to establish minimum requirements and mutual recognition for training programmes and certification for personnel in refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps and fire fighting sectors (Article 5) Commission to establish format of notification (Article 5) 1 January 2008 Member States adapt training and certification requirements to meet minimum requirements- notify Commission (Article 5) Member States to ensure companies involved in containment and recovery can only take delivery of fluorinated greenhouse gases if their personnel are certified. Commission to establish form of label (Article 6a) 1 January 2011 Review by Commission – evaluate training and certification, containment measures (assess need for maximum leakage rates), technology developments and prohibitions in Annex II (Article 9)

Conclusions Contributes to meeting Kyoto objectives However, the final shape of the proposal still to be determined Commission objective is to ensure that environmental ambition of its proposal maintained It is only a first step in regulating emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases Focus on ensuring that containment and recovery works well

Further information Commission Communication 2001 http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2001/com2001_0580en01.pdf Report of working group http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/chemicals/sustdev/fluorgases/gas1.pdf Climate Change Unit web-site http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/home_en.htm Contact peter.horrocks@cec.eu.int