The objective of this F-gas Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 is to protect the environment by reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Accordingly, it:
a) establishes rules on containment, use, recovery and destruction of fluorinated greenhouse gases, and on related ancillary measures;
b) imposes conditions on the placing on the market of specific products and equipment that contain, or whose functioning relies upon, fluorinated greenhouse gases;
c) imposes conditions on specific uses of fluorinated greenhouse gases;
d) establishes quantitative limits for the placing on the market of hydrofluorocarbons.
Prevention of emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases
The intentional release of fluorinated greenhouse gases into the atmosphere shall be prohibited where the release is not technically necessary for the intended use.
Operators of equipment that contains fluorinated greenhouse gases shall take precautions to prevent the unintentional release (“leakage”) of those gases and shall take all measures which are technically and economically feasible to minimise leakage of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Where a leakage of fluorinated greenhouse gases is detected, the operators shall ensure that the equipment is repaired without undue delay.
Where the equipment is subject to leak checks pursuant to Article 4(1) and a leak in the equipment has been repaired, the operators shall ensure that the equipment is checked by a certified natural person within one month after the repair to verify that the repair has been effective.
Natural persons carrying out the tasks referred to in points (a) to (c) of Article 10(1) shall be certified in accordance with Article 10(4) and (7) and shall take precautionary measures to prevent leakage of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Undertakings carrying out the installation, servicing, maintenance, repair or decommissioning of the equipment listed in points (a) to (d) of Article 4(2) shall be certified in accordance with Article 10(6) and (7) and shall take precautionary measures to prevent leakage of fluorinated greenhouse gases.