There is a growing concern in the level of awareness of operator F-Gas legislation. Thus, at Be Cool Refrigeration we feel it is our duty to raise awareness and ensure our customers are in-compliance with the legislation.
What is F-Gas regulation?
This regulation seeks to limit the emissions of the SF6, PFCs and HFCs. HFCs are used for refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and are in many organisation including both the commercial and domestic sector.
Who is the operator?
In accordance to the EU F-Gas regulation, “Operator means the natural or legal person exercising actual power over the technical functioning of the equipment and systems covered by this Regulation”. It is therefore the legal duty of the OWNER. The owner may seek to contract a maintenance contract for regular service check and at Be Cool Refrigeration we provide a complete package tailored to our client’s needs.
The operators’ responsibilities in complying with F-Gas regulation?
All operators of systems that use refrigerants containing F gases, must comply with the obligations in the EU F gas Regulation which is applicable to the system they operate as detailed below:
Contact us for Full help and more information about our support and maintenance service.
What Are F-Gases and Why Are They Regulated?
F-gases (fluorinated gases) are a group of man-made chemicals used as refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. The three main types are HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons), PFCs (perfluorocarbons), and SF6 (sulphur hexafluoride). While they do not damage the ozone layer, they have extremely high global warming potential, sometimes thousands of times greater than CO2.
The UK F-Gas Regulation aims to cut the use of HFCs by 79% by 2030, compared to 2015 levels. This phase-down means the industry is gradually moving towards lower GWP refrigerants, and the cost of high-GWP gases is rising sharply.
Key Requirements for Equipment Operators
If you own or operate equipment containing F-gases, you have specific legal obligations:
Leak Checking
Regular leak checks are mandatory. The frequency depends on the CO2 equivalent (CO2e) charge of your system:
- 5 to 50 tonnes CO2e - Leak checks at least every 12 months
- 50 to 500 tonnes CO2e - Leak checks at least every 6 months
- 500 tonnes CO2e or more - Leak checks at least every 3 months
Systems fitted with an automatic leak detection system can extend these intervals by double.
Record Keeping
You must maintain records for each piece of equipment, including:
- The quantity and type of F-gas the system contains
- Dates and results of all leak checks
- Quantities of refrigerant added or recovered
- Details of the certified company and technician who carried out the work
- Details of any decommissioning or disposal
These records must be kept for at least five years and made available to the Environment Agency on request.
Using Certified Personnel
Only technicians holding a valid F-Gas certificate can install, service, maintain, or decommission systems containing fluorinated gases. At Be Cool Refrigeration, all our engineers hold current F-Gas qualifications.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Environment Agency enforces F-Gas regulations in England. Penalties for non-compliance can include:
- Enforcement notices requiring you to take corrective action
- Fixed penalty notices
- Prosecution, which can result in unlimited fines
Even without formal enforcement action, an F-gas leak wastes money. A system losing refrigerant runs less efficiently, pushes up energy bills, and will eventually fail entirely.
How the Phase-Down Affects Your Business
The HFC phase-down means that high-GWP refrigerants like R410A and R404A are becoming increasingly expensive and harder to source. If your equipment currently uses these gases, you should be planning ahead:
- Maintain your existing equipment well - Preventing leaks extends the life of your current system and reduces the amount of refrigerant you need to buy.
- Consider a retrofit - Some systems can be converted to use lower-GWP alternatives. We can advise whether this is practical for your setup.
- Plan for replacement - When your current equipment reaches end of life, the replacement should use a low-GWP or natural refrigerant such as R32, R290 (propane), R744 (CO2), or R717 (ammonia).
Official Resources
For the complete regulatory requirements, refer to these UK government and regulatory body resources:
Written by
Ali Elm
Ali is the Head of Operations at Be Cool Refrigeration with over a decade of hands-on experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration. He oversees every installation, repair, and maintenance project, making sure the work meets the highest standards. Ali holds full F-Gas certification and has worked across residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration systems throughout London and the South East. When he is not on site, he writes these guides to help business owners and homeowners understand their cooling systems better.