F-Gases in Cars' Air Conditioning Systems banned from 2014

Publication date: 30 March 2004

The European Parliament adopted in its plenary session a large number of amendments to the draft regulation on fluorinated gases (COM(2003) 492 - COD(2003) 0189).

com2003_0492_fluorinated_gases.pdf (152 KB)

On the vexed question of quotas versus type approval for the use of fluorinated gases in new cars the Parliament supported its rapporteur Robert Goodwill (final report) and deleted the new quota system proposed by the Commission. Instead MEPs adopted an amendment introducing stricter limits for fluorinated gases in car air conditioning from January 2011, and not by 2009 as proposed by the Parliament's Environment Committee. However, the plenary maintained the Environment Committee's proposal to lower the ban threshold on F-gases from 150 to 50. For small-scale manufacturers, this provision shall apply from 1 January 2013.

report_final_goodwill_180304.pdf (355 KB)

Another important amendment adopted concerns prevention of the leaking of fluorinated gases. It says that all measures that are technically and economically feasible shall be taken to prevent and minimise emissions of fluorinated gases. This obligation should be applicable to more sectors and not just cover refrigeration, heating and air-conditioning but all sectors where these gases are used.

Parliament also wants to enlarge the scope of the regulation by introducing recovery and placing on the market of gases, use of products and equipment containing these gases and reporting of data on these gases to the regulation. It also introduces quite a few amendments on inspections for the leakage of these gases.

Next step:
The Environment Ministers will formally endorse the regulations at their meeting on 29 June 2004

Related News Items:
- MEPs for cleaner Air Conditionings in Cars (15 March 2004)
- Commission tackles fluorinated gases in air-conditionings (11 August 2003)