World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Customs stop more refrigerant at Ukrainian border

ROMANIA: Border police from the Vicovu de Sus have intercepted more illegal refrigerant being smuggled across the border from Ukraine.

Yesterday (May 28), the police stopped a Ukrainian-registered Mercedes-Benz minibus containing 22 cylinders of refrigerant in illegal non-refillable cylinders. 

The refrigerant, which photographs suggest included R134a, R507 and R404A, was found in the driver’s personal luggage.

The driver, a 58-year-old man with dual Romanian-Ukrainian citizenship, could not present supporting documents for the refrigerant which was seized.

Earlier this month, the Vicovu de Sus border guards found over 150 refrigerant cylinders in two separate minibuses travelling in from Ukraine. 

Related stories:

Romanian police seize more refrigerant14 May 2023
ROMANIA: Customs officers in Romania continue to intercept illegal refrigerant being smuggled into the country from Ukraine. Read more…

Romanian police seize illegal refrigerant – 2 April 2023
ROMANIA: Border police from Suceava have seized 12 cylinders of illegal refrigerant in the Romanian town of Vicovu de Sus on the border with Ukraine. Read more…

EIA slams Romanian inaction on illegal refrigerant trade – 17 September 2021
UK: The London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has accused enforcement authorities in Romania of “alarming complacency” in failing to tackle the illegal trade in HFC refrigerants. Read more…

EIA exposes corruption in Romania’s criminal HFC trade – 8 July 2021
UK: The Environmental Investigation Agency has uncovered “systematic corruption” of customs officials in the illegal importation of refrigerants into Europe, with Romania identified as one of the major entry points. Read more…

Romania seizes 9 tonnes of refrigerant from Turkey – 12 March 2021
ROMANIA: Authorities in Romania yesterday intercepted a truck smuggling 1,300 cylinders of refrigerant from Turkey. Read more…

Romania sets €6k maximum fine for F-gas violations – 25 March 2020
ROMANIA: Fines to a maximum of just over €6,000 have been set by the Romanian government for contraventions of the European F-gas regulation (517/2014) to control HFC refrigerants. Read more…

Illegal refrigerant seized for “lack of documentation” – 18 July 2019
ROMANIA: Border police in southern Romania seized 86kg of illegal refrigerant at the Calafat border crossing point with Bulgaria yesterday. Read more…

Romanian customs seize 95 refrigerant cylinders – 22 July 2019
ROMANIA: Border police in Romania made a further seizure of refrigerant yesterday (Sunday) at the Petea border crossing point with Hungary. Read more…

Latest News

16th May 2026

UNEP scheme trains first all-female group from Asia

ITALY: A delegation of Asian women have taken part in a UNEP-promoted programme targeting good practices in refrigeration and air conditioning, F-gas management and natural refrigerant safety.
16th May 2026

Update on Ecodesign of fans guide

BELGIUM: A second edition of the guide addressing questions on the interpretation of Ecodesign requirements for fans as set out in EU regulation 2024/1834.
16th May 2026

DEFRA delays GB F-gas phase down

UK: The UK government has announced a delay to its proposed F-gas phase down steps from 1 January 2027, admitting that it requires “further work” following its recent consultation with…
15th May 2026

Haier signs Netherlands distribution deal

NETHERLANDS: Haier HVAC Solutions Europe has signed a distribution deal with Dutch electric heating equipment supplier Masterwatt.
15th May 2026

Klima-Therm adds Fisair air humidity products

UK: Klima-Therm, the UK commercial HVAC supplier, has partnered with Spanish manufacturer Fisair to deliver its range of humidifiers and dehumidifiers to the British market.
15th May 2026

Industry welcomes fair payment bill

UK: The industry has welcomed the small business protection (late payment) bill announced in this week’s King’s speech.