The EU’s F-Gas Regulation

A concise guide to the phase-out of hydrofluorocarbon super pollutants

Fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) are synthetic gases, many with very high global warming potentials (GWP).

They are widely used as refrigerants in air-conditioning, refrigeration and heat pumps as well as a range of other products and processes, including electrical switchgear, fire protection, foam-blowing and aerosols.

In recent decades, F-gas emissions — particularly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — have increased significantly, posing a major threat to the climate. While HFCs are being phased down globally under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, current measures are inadequate to help meet the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement.

In February 2024, the EU revised its previous 2014 F-Gas Regulation, introducing a world-first HFC phase-out and strengthening overall F-gas controls.

This document outlines the key measures on HFCs in Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (hereinafter the EU F-Gas Regulation or the Regulation).

Further details are available in EIA’s EU F-Gas Regulation Handbook.