European contractors' association speaks out on F Gas Regulation - 15/7/2010

AREA (www.area-eur.be) the European organisation of air-conditioning, refrigeration and heat pumps contractors, has issued a position paper as its input to the forthcoming review of the F Gas Regulation. AREA voices the interests of 22 national members from 20 European countries, representing more than 9,000 companies across Europe.

The position paper states that "AREA has received a clear message from countries that have implemented and are applying the Regulation: F-Gas works. Contractors have already observed a decrease in leakage rate of RAC installations. Such trends are common to all replies and confirmed by data from countries which have had a similar system in place for years." Whilst this is good news, the paper goes on to clarify that  the implementation of the Regulation throughout the EU is still incomplete but that the first signs are encouraging and show a positive effect of the legislation on refrigerants’ leakage.

AREA goes on to point out a number of areas where the Regulation – and thus its effects - could be improved, including implementation and enforcement; suggested modifications; points requiring clarification.  The conclusion is that  F Gases continue to play an important role in refrigeration and will continue to do so for many years to come.