Phase-out of F-gases: timeline, GWP table and what you should do now

What are F-gases and why are they being phased out?

F-gases — hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs — are synthetic gases that were the standard in refrigeration systems for decades because of their chemical stability and fire safety. The problem is their Global Warming Potential (GWP), which is many times higher than that of CO₂. GWP expresses the warming effect of a gas over a 100-year period, using CO₂ as the reference value (GWP = 1).

For example, R404A has a GWP of 3922. This means that if one kilogram escapes into the atmosphere, that kilogram of R404A has the same climate impact as 3,922 kilograms of CO₂. R134a has a GWP of 1430, which is still substantial. By comparison, R32 has a GWP of 675 and is already closer to the next phase-down threshold.

Through Regulation 2024/573, published on 7 March 2024, the EU has legally embedded the phase-out of HFCs as part of the EU Climate Law and the objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The regulation replaces 517/2014 and includes stricter bans and quota provisions that will come into force step by step over the coming years.

The phase-out timeline: which refrigerant will be prohibited, and when?

The phase-down under Regulation (EU) 2024/573 reduces the available quantity of HFCs on the European market by approximately 95% towards 2030, compared with the original 2015 reference level. As a result, HFCs are becoming increasingly scarce and noticeably more expensive, even where their use has not yet been explicitly prohibited.

The exact prohibition dates depend on the application and the type of installation. In general, refrigerants with a very high GWP value, such as R404A and R507, are already heavily restricted. At the same time, legislation is increasingly steering the market towards refrigerants with a low GWP value and natural alternatives such as CO₂, ammonia and propane.

Source: EU Regulation 2024/573, Official Journal of the European Union, 7 March 2024.

What changes for your existing installation? The 2025–2030 service roadmap

The regulation translates into three practical situations for maintenance managers.

Scenario 1: installation using a refrigerant with a GWP above 2500

For example, R404A and R507.

Topping up with newly produced refrigerant has not been permitted for years. The only legal option for maintenance is recycled refrigerant. This is allowed until 2030, but availability and pricing are uncertain.

The practical decision is whether to retrofit to R449A or R452A — drop-in replacements with a GWP of approximately 1397 and 2141 respectively — or to fully convert to NH₃ or CO₂. If you wait, you will most likely have to make that decision later under pressure and at higher cost.

Scenario 2: installation using a refrigerant with a GWP between 750 and 2500

For example, R134a or R407C.

Topping up is still permitted, but costs are rising annually and availability is decreasing rapidly due to quota reductions. The phase-out period is longer, but it is advisable to implement a service programme that takes replacement before 2032 into account.

Every unexpected major leak makes the business case for immediate conversion stronger.

Scenario 3: new-build investment or planned replacement

Invest only in installations with a GWP below 150 or in systems using a natural refrigerant. R404A, R507 and R134a are no longer viable options: not technically, not financially and not legally.

Obligations that already apply, regardless of refrigerant

• Leak detection frequency: installations of 5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent or more must be checked at least once a year. From 50 tonnes, the requirement is at least twice a year. From 500 tonnes, the requirement is at least four times a year.
• A digital logbook must be maintained for all measurements, top-ups and service activities.
• Only certified personnel may work on F-gas installations. In the Netherlands, the STEK certificate — Stichting Erkenningsregeling Koeltechnisch Installateursbedrijf — is the required qualification.

What alternatives are available? Overview of permitted refrigerants

There is no universal replacement refrigerant. The right choice depends on the type of installation, ambient temperature, available space and safety classification.

• R449A (GWP approximately 1397) / R452A (GWP approximately 2141): drop-in replacements for R404A systems. Only limited modifications to the installation are required. This can be an attractive interim solution for installations with a remaining service life of several years, but it is not a long-term solution given the GWP threshold and increasing scarcity.
• CO₂ / R744 (GWP = 1): ideal for cold stores, supermarkets and food logistics. It requires higher pressure resistance in pipework and components. This is not a retrofit, but a full system replacement.
• NH₃ / R717 (GWP = 0): the most energy-efficient refrigerant for large industrial installations. Safety class B2L: toxic and mildly flammable, requiring appropriate safety measures. The low refrigerant charge in modern low-charge systems significantly reduces the safety risk.
• Propane / R290 (GWP = 3): suitable for indirect systems. Flammable, class A3.

The phase-down of HFC refrigerants is irreversible. The regulation is in place, quotas are decreasing every year and prices for synthetic refrigerants are rising structurally. Acting now gives you room for a careful decision between retrofit, drop-in replacement or full conversion. Waiting means that this decision will later have to be made under time pressure and at higher cost.

For more than 75 years, Nijssen has supported industrial refrigeration and climate installations through transitions like these: from the first refrigerant changes after the CFC ban to the current HFC phase-out. In recent years, Nijssen has guided dozens of installations through the transition to F-gas-free systems, including food logistics cold stores that switched to CO₂ refrigeration as part of an R404A phase-out.