Source: European Parliament
Regulation (EU) 2024/573[1] on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) includes prohibitions on placing on the market certain F-gas equipment, which are expected to be feasible from the date they apply, provide legal certainty to manufacturers and promote innovation. The latter is clearly evidenced by many new models of heat pumps for private residences that avoid the use of F-gases and are being shown at major trade fairs, e.g. Chillventa[2]. New production capacities have been created to produce such equipment.
Conversely, there is no indication that the new F-gas Regulation, which only entered into force in March 2024, has adversely affected the uptake of heat pumps. Rather, a slowing growth of heat pump sales observed in some Member States is attributed by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) in its latest report[3] to changes or lack/removal of national support schemes, energy prices favouring gas and fossil fuels and other issues affecting end-users (high interest rates, renovation rate slow-down, inflation).
The Commission intends to carry out a review of the F-gas Regulation by 2030 as provided for in the regulation.