F Gases

Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases

Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (“F-gases”) are man-made and are used in a number of different sectors, including refrigeration, air conditioning, and fire protection.

Although F-gases do not damage the ozone layer like the CFCs that they have replaced, they 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, 2007/1497, 2007/1494, 2008/303-308)

A consultation document has now been prepared by DOE, which seeks views on draft Northern Ireland Regulations which will implement the requirements of these EC Regulations.

The draft 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, heat pump equipment, solvents, high-voltage switchgear, fire protection, as well as chemical manufacturers and suppliers.

The draft 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. A partial Regulatory Impact Assessment is also included, which contains estimated compliance costs for the business sectors above.

The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 - A Consultation Paper (335Kb)

The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 (131Kb)

Should you require this document in an accessible format, e.g. Braille, audio-cassette, minority ethnic language etc, please contact the Air and Environmental Quality Unit by contacting Roger.Irwin@doeni.gov.uk

Alternatively you can contact Roger Irwin by telephone at (028) 90 544 515, or by writing to Department of the Environment, 20-24 Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2GP.