EPEE offers “cost-effective” answer to PFAS emissions
12th June 2026
BELGIUM: A new report suggests that building on the European F-gas regulation, while further reducing leaks and increasing reclamation, would be the most cost-effective ways to reduce PFAS emissions.
Published by the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE), and based on an assessment conducted by specialist sustainability consultancy Environmental Resources Management (ERM), the report looks at how Europe can reduce emissions from refrigerants without creating unnecessary costs for people, businesses and essential technologies.
Three possible actions to reduce PFAS emissions are considered. Two of the options are a PFAS ban with all in-scope refrigerants prohibited 18 months after entry into force (2030), or a full ban with six RACHP derogations, as proposed by the ECHA last year, including a 6.5-year derogation for transport refrigeration. These two options are largely based on the previously published SEAC draft opinion formulations, but differ in certain respects.
EPEE argues that these more restrictive options would cost over €35bn, while delivering lower or comparable environmental benefits. It offers a third option for F-gases to remain permitted subject to a projected maximum leak rate and progressively higher end-of-life recovery rates. This option, preferred by EPEE, is aligned with the HFC Outlook model assumptions produced by Gluckman Consulting in 2023.
According to the assessment, this latter approach would cut PFAS emissions by 39% and limit the economic impact to €4.6bn between 2030 and 2050. More restrictive options, it maintains, would cost over €35bn, while delivering lower or comparable environmental benefits.
EPEE argues that the use of F-gases in the EU is already comprehensively governed by the F-gas regulation and further restrictions would undermine the transition pathway.
“Europe does not have to choose between reducing emissions and protecting its economy,” said EPEE director general Russell Patten. “This study shows that our industry can manage and reduce refrigerant emissions, delivering on environmental goals while safeguarding jobs, competitiveness and essential heating and cooling technologies.”
The report also highlights that there is currently no universal alternative refrigerant suitable for all refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump applications. In many cases, alternatives are constrained by safety, flammability, toxicity, pressure and performance requirements.
EPEE underlines that heating, cooling and refrigeration technologies are essential for heat pump deployment, cold chains, industrial processes, district heating and cooling, and data centre cooling.
The Executive Report can be accessed here.
