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

Dutch authorities intercept illegal R134a refrigerant

NETHERLANDS: A raid on a car parts warehouse in Rotterdam has netted authorities over 1600kg of illegal R134a refrigerant.

The Netherland’s Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, working on a tip-off from Dutch customs authorities, discovered 123 13.6kg cylinders that had been imported outside of the EU quota system and in illegal disposable cylinders.

The refrigerant has been seized and the authorities are said to be seeking the whereabouts of a further 477 cylinders from the same trader.

Related stories:

Illegal F-gas trade on EU council agenda – 1 March 2019
EUROPE: Illegal refrigerant imports and better enforcement of the European F-gas phase down will be discussed at a meeting of the EU’s Environment Council on Tuesday (March 5). Read more…

Illegal imports equivalent to 20% of quota – 26 January 2019
GERMANY: A group of German refrigeration experts has called for action after revealing that the amount of illegal refrigerant entering Europe last year was equivalent to 20% of the legal F-gas quota. Read more…

EC gets serious on illegal F-gas trade – 10 December 2018
BELGIUM: The European Commission says it is taking the illegal trade in refrigerants “extremely seriously”, is aware that it could undermine the phase-down, but admits it is uncertain at this time of the amounts involved. Read more…

Illegal imports cost Polish treasury €7m in 2018 – 20 February 2019
POLAND: Illegal refrigerant imports, either smuggled or imported outside of the EU quota system, cost the Polish treasury an estimated €7m in uncollected taxes and customs fees in 2018. Read more…

Poland swamped by illegal refrigerant – 25 July 2018
POLAND: A leading refrigerants organisation has reported a “massive inflow” of illegal HFCs into Poland. Read more…

Industry call to end illegal F-gas sales – 14 November 2018
BELGIUM: European refrigeration and air conditioning contractors have called for action after a survey reveals that nearly 90% of the industry is aware of the illegal trade in refrigerants. Read more…

End this F-gas farce – 9 September 2018
EUROPE: The supposedly ground-breaking European F-gas regulations have become a farce, with the authorities seemingly unwilling or unable to stem sales of illegal refrigerant. Read more…

Dutch warn on illegal refrigerant – 10 October 2018
NETHERLANDS: Refrigerant businesses in the Netherlands have joined the condemnation of the widespread abuse of the F-gas regulations through “alternative” sales outlets. Read more…

Banned R22 openly sold in disposables – 7 September 2018
POLAND: The Cooling Post has found that illegal ozone-depleting R22 refrigerant is being openly sold in illegal disposable cylinders in Poland under the very noses of the authorities. Read more…

Latest News

5th October 2026

Aspen Pumps buys Henry Group Industries

UK: Aspen Pumps Group has announced the acquisitions of refrigeration components manufacturer Henry Group Industries, Belgian recycled rubber construction materials specialist RubberGreen and Brazilian refrigeration components company Forming Tubing.
5th October 2026

FETA rejoins Eurovent

UK: The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) has rejoined Eurovent, the European HVACR manufacturers’ association it left more than 20 years ago.
4th October 2026

Sam Jones takes golden experience to Breakfast TV

UK: Fresh from his success at WorldSkills, gold medal winner Sam Jones had the opportunity to promote careers in refrigeration and air conditioning with an appearance on BBC Breakfast television.
4th October 2026

Taking heat pumps to government

UK: The Heat Pump Association UK and Nesta took heat pumps to the Welsh parliament last month, giving key policy makers the opportunity to see the technology in action.
4th October 2026

Research looks to cut heat pump installation times

GERMANY: Researchers in Germany are looking at ways to make heat pump installations faster, more productive and more efficient despite the shortage of skilled workers.
3rd October 2026

Sanhua’s complete CO2 package solution

SPAIN: HVACR components manufacturer Sanhua has developed a fully standardised package solution for CO2 condensing units that integrates all the necessary components except the compressor and fans.