Refcom backs “failing F-gas” report
1st May 2018
UK: F-gas registration company Refcom has backed a report criticising the Environment Agency for failing to enforce the F-gas regulations.
In its recently published report, UK Progress on Reducing F-Gas Emissions, the Environmental Audit Committee called on the government to increase the resources available for monitoring usage and sales of refrigerant gases – particularly online.
Refcom says it has noted a considerable rise in the availability of unregulated and potentially counterfeit supplies, some using disposable cylinders that have been illegal for more than a decade.
In March, the Cooling Post highlighted the issue when it revealed that vendors were using online auction sites to offer refrigerants including R404A and R410A in disposable cylinders.
Head of Refcom Graeme Fox said he was “delighted” that the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), which is chaired by Labour MP Mary Creagh, had taken on board all of the concerns he submitted in written evidence and during a face-to-face inquiry last year about lack of enforcement of the F Gas regulations.
Refom backed the EAC belief that the Environment Agency is under-resourced and, therefore, incapable of enforcing the regulations effectively. It pointed to “large levels of non-compliance” and the fact that there had been just one prosecution since they came into force.
Flammables
The committee, which includes Green party MP Caroline Lucas, also highlighted safety concerns around flammable gases and their use by unqualified individuals.
“The committee picked up on our concerns around the issue of people using flammable refrigerants to top up systems not designed for their use. It acknowledged that the use of refrigerants with lower global warming potential often has a trade off in terms of safety and efficiency,” said Mr Fox.
“The EAC agreed with us that the government must now urgently consult with industry to ensure the workforce is properly trained and upskilled to deal with the roll out of flammable and mildly flammable alternative refrigerants,” he said.
The Environment Agency told the committee it regularly monitored social media sites, such as Amazon and eBay, and received intelligence on potential breaches from the industry, but the only successful prosecution was of a company that turned itself in.
“The low number of investigations and the single prosecution for a self-reported breach since the beginning of 2015, when the current F Gas Regulation came into effect, do not inspire confidence,” said the EAC report.
Related stories:
UK failing to enforce F-gas regulations – 25 April 2018
UK: The Environmental Audit Committee has expressed concern that the Environment Agency is under-resourced and failing to adequately investigate “large levels of non-compliance” with the F-gas regulations. Read more…
UK a hub for illegal refrigerant sales – 23 March 2018
UK: There are concerns that the UK has become a centre for sales of refrigerant in illegal disposable cylinders, a container which has been banned from use in Europe for over 10 years. Read more…
Phase down sparks rise in illegal sales – 21 March 2018
EUROPE: With the F-gas regulations beginning to bite and higher GWP refrigerants becoming expensive and scarce, evidence of illegal imports and sales is increasing. Read more…
F-gas violators face £200,000 fines – 3 February 2018
UK: Those who breach the F-gas regulations in England and Scotland could face fines of up to £200,000 from April 1. Read more…
We want to stay within F-gas – 6 December 2017
UK: The UK refrigeration and ac industry has backed staying within the European F-gas regulations post Brexit, but repeated warnings of dire shortages of high GWP refrigerants next year. Read more…
Firm fined for breach of F-gas regulations – 5 April 2016
UK: In what has been described as an important result for the Environment Agency, a company has been prosecuted for breaching the F-gas regulations. Read more…
