EU regulation
F-gas Regulation: gases, equipment and responsibilities
Overview
Short answer
Regulation (EU) 2024/573 governs fluorinated greenhouse gases and equipment containing or relying on them. Requirements depend on the gas, quantity, equipment, activity and date. A product prohibition and a servicing prohibition are different questions. Articles 2, 11 and 13.
Legal status
Law in force with phased application
Law in force. Checked on 11 October 2026 against the original act and the Commission’s current legislation register. A specific product assessment requires the correct annex entry and relevant later acts.
Part 1
What the regulation covers
The regulation covers gases listed in Annexes I–III, alone or in mixtures, and relevant products, equipment and parts. Refrigeration, heat pumps and air conditioning are important examples, but the scope is broader. Start with the gas identity and function. The term F-gas does not determine which obligations under the regulation apply. Article 2.
Part 2
Assess the correct product entry
Annex IV sets placing-on-the-market prohibitions with different dates and conditions. Equipment type, capacity and the gas’s global warming potential, GWP, can determine the outcome. Article 11 also contains provisions for spare parts and equipment already lawfully placed on the market. Do not use a neighbouring category as a shortcut to concluding that the product is permitted. Article 11 and Annex IV.
Part 3
The activity determines responsibility
Distinguish importing gas, importing pre-charged equipment and distributing within the EU. Quota accounting and documentation for pre-charged equipment are separate from product labelling. Operators and servicing businesses may also have duties concerning emissions, leak checking, recovery and certification. Map who actually performs each activity. Articles 4–12 and 19–20.
Part 4
One regulation, several dates
The regulation entered into force on 11 March 2024 and replaced Regulation 517/2014. The labelling provisions in Article 12 apply from 1 January 2025. Product prohibitions, servicing restrictions and specific derogations have their own dates. The Commission’s register also lists later implementing acts; a proposed simplification does not itself change an obligation. Articles 37–38. Legislation register.
Part 5
Collect evidence for each equipment version
Record the gas designation, charge quantity, GWP, equipment category, capacity and intended use. Link labels and supplier information to the same model. If relying on a derogation, retain the act, validity period and technical reasoning with the decision. This is a recommended way to organise the assessment; it does not replace checking the derogation’s actual conditions.
Part 6
Plan the product and its servicing together
- Identify the gas and product category.
- Check market access and labelling.
- Assess import and quota questions.
- Separate installation and servicing duties.
- Plan evidence, spare parts and future changes.
Include purchasing, engineering and service teams in the review. A permitted new product does not mean every future servicing option will remain available throughout its life. Articles 11–13 and 19.
Checklist
Key takeaways
- Identify the gas and equipment category before selecting requirements.
- Read the full relevant entry in Annex IV.
- Separate sale, import, installation and servicing.
- Keep product details and evidence of relevant dates.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Are all F-gases prohibited?
No. The provisions distinguish gases, uses, equipment and dates.
Does the same date apply to sale and servicing?
No. Articles 11 and 13 address different activities.
Can older equipment be resold?
Check Article 11, when it was lawfully placed on the market and what evidence is needed.
Is a low GWP sufficient?
No. Product category, quantity and the remaining conditions also need assessment.
Further reading
Official sources
How Verca helps
How Verca can support the process
Verca brings together product data and version-linked documents, helping make the assessment traceable. Responsible people need to check gas rules, derogation conditions and any reporting. Platform.