MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Impact of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (on fluorinated greenhouse gases) on European industry – E-002128/2024

Question for written answer  E-002128/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE)

Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases bans all gases (including HFOs).

Owing to the sudden need to cut the use of fluorinated gases, many European companies are announcing delays to investments in new heat pump production lines[1] and experiencing slumps in sales of air-conditioning and refrigeration systems[2].

The development of the new generation of heat pumps and air-conditioning systems is also crucial for the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

Article 35(5) of the Regulation provides that the entry into force of those bans is conditional on a re-evaluation of the technologies available on the market and their effectiveness on the basis of a report to be published by 2030, which implies that there will be six years of deadlock and uncertainty for industry.

In the light of the above:

• 1.Given the six-year wait for the report, with a view to giving industry greater regulatory certainty and enabling it to plan, can the Commission provide it with reassurance?
• 2.In the light of the objectives of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive with regard to the decarbonisation of buildings, should the phasing out of HFOs not be reconsidered?

Submitted: 17.10.2024

• [1] https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/daikin-to-axe-500-jobs-as-heat-pump-demand-falls/#:~:text=BELGIUM%3A%20Daikin%20Europe%20has%20said,before%20the%20end%20of%20December.
• [2] https://www.ehpa.org/market-data/#:~:text=Heat%20pump%20sales%20fell%20by,seen%20in%20the%20annual%20sales.