Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases
Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (“F-gases”) are man-made and are used in a number of different sectors in Northern Ireland.
Although F-gases do not damage the ozone layer like the CFCs that they have replaced, they are believed to have a very high Greenhouse Warming Potential, are generally long-lived, and are included in the “basket of gases” under the Kyoto Protocol.
With the objective of preventing and reducing emissions of F-gases, Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 on Certain Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases 
came into force on 04 July 2006, followed in 2007 and 2008 by a further ten Commission Regulations (Regulations (EC) Nos. 2007/1516 
(46KB), 2007/1497 (41KB), 2007/1494 (41KB), 2008/303 , 2008/304 (51KB), 2008/305 (46KB), 2008/306 (45KB), 2008/307 (42KB), and 2008/308 (52KB)).
The F-gases Regulations for Northern Ireland came into operation on 12th May 2009, thereby implementing the requirements of the EC Regulations.
The Regulations aim to minimise emissions of F-gases in Northern Ireland. They will particularly affect those who work with equipment in the following sectors -
- refrigeration systems
- air conditioning (including in motor vehicles)
- heat pump equipment
- F-gas based solvents
- high-voltage switchgear
- fire protection, and
- chemical manufacturers and suppliers.
The Regulations specify enforcement responsibilities and penalties for non-compliance with the Regulations, and set out minimum qualification requirements for those who work with F-gases.
The Regulations can be viewed in the attachment below. They can also be viewed on-line here.
Final Version of Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas Regulation (140KB)
Consultation on Amendments to the NI F-gases Regulations
It is proposed to introduce a piece of legislation amending the existing F-gases Regulations. These amending Regulations would be called the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 ("the F-gases Amendment Regulations"), and are currently open for public consultation until 23rd February 2012.
The F-gases Amendment Regulations serve three main purposes:
The definition of an offshore installation needs to be amended to harmonise the said definition with that included in other pieces of legislation throughout the UK.
The provisions on prohibition notices need to be revoked because it is now thought that they are not applicable to the F-gases Regulations.
The provisions allowing any certificate to become legally acceptable if issued by an organisation approved by the DOE is included to allow for greater flexibility in enabling certification organisations to develop new, legally permitted, qualifications. This would negate the need for new legislation to be made each time new qualifications are developed.
The consultation document can be accessed here (103KB) and the Department welcomes comments from all members of the public.
General assistance on these requirements
Should you require further information on how your business would comply with these Regulations, or on the exact offences, this can be found on the F-gas and ODS offences and requirements page.
You can also find more information on the F-gases Regulations direct from F-gas Support.
F-Gas Support is a government funded team that has been set up to provide guidance for manufacturers, operators, contractors and others that make, sell or handle F-gases and/or ODS and associated equipment. They also help regulators promote compliance with these important environmental Regulations.
The F-Gas Support Helpline is 0845 266 8843 (9am – 5pm Mon - Fri)
F-Gas Support Helpdesk e-mail is: fgas-support@enviros.com
You can also visit the DOE page which contains all the F-gas Support assistance documents. These documents provide businesses with instructions on how to comply with both the F-gases and ODS Regulations for NI.
F-gas Support's postal address is F-Gas Support, P.O Box 481, Salford , M50 3UD
You can also access F-gas Support's web-page.
Should you require further information on the requirements for your business, please also feel free to contact the Department through Roger Irwin at:
Air and Environmental Quality Team
Department of the Environment
Goodwood House
44 - 58 May Street
Belfast BT1 4NN
E-mail: aeqteam@doeni.gov.uk
Tel.: (028) 90 254 758.
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