BELGIUM: The industry group EPEE is urging the European Parliament to reject pressure to introduce a ban on HFC refrigerants in next week's Environment Committee meeting on possible changes to the F-gas regulations.
In a statement, EPEE says it is very worried about the direction of the European Parliament's negotiations on the F-gas review and fear that ENVI Members of the European Parliament could agree on sweeping product bans in refrigeration and air conditioning in 2020.

'Such a decision would be disproportionate, technically unfeasible and counterproductive,' the group says.

The warning comes as lobbying on the future of HFC refrigerants heats up with environmental groups pushing for a ban on HFCs in new equipment by 2020.

'There is no perfect refrigerant and HFC alternatives are flammable, toxic or less energy-efficient and are not suitable for all applications,' says EPEE. 'General bans will jeopardise the health and safety of consumers, the EU's climate and energy goals and the European industry's competitiveness. We urge Members of the European Parliament to support an EU phase-down mechanism and to reject general bans.'

Meanwhile, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is urging supporters to email the ENVI committee members to press for a ban at next week's meeting.

'A vote to ban HFCs in new equipment from 2020 would constitute a major win for the climate, set a standard for other countries to follow and also offer a significant boost to the 250-plus European companies which already produce climate-friendly alternatives using natural refrigerants,' says the EIA.