Refrigerants used in millions of air conditioning and refrigeration systems across the UK and Europe are to be subject to strict new EU regulations.
Industry experts will brief visitors on the changes and their practical consequences in a series of free seminar sessions at the forthcoming ACR Show 2014, which takes place in Hall 9, NEC, from 11 to 13 February 2014.

The revision of the F-Gas Regulation, formally proposed by the European Union in late December 2013, will result in a phase-down of commonly-used HFC refrigerants with a High Global Warming Potential (GWP).

The refrigerants affected are used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems in offices, retail stores, food and drink production, restaurants, leisure centres, hospitals, data centres and educational establishments across the country.

Jan Thorpe, exhibition director, said: 'The new regulations will affect some of the most important refrigerants in use today. It will have implications for all who manufacture, install, purchase or use cooling systems for use in buildings or businesses.

'People can get up-to-speed with the changes, and what they mean, by attending our free expert-led seminars at the ACR Show in February.'

The F-Gas changes will be covered in several seminars across the three days of the show:

Mike Nankivell, head of the UK cooling industry's F-Gas task force, will provide an up-to-the-minute review of the changes and their likely impact;

Barbara Minor, of refrigerant specialist DuPont, will present the current alternatives to high GWP HFC refrigerants and possible future options;

Graeme Fox, of contractors' organisations B&ES and AREA, will outline what the changes mean for installers;

And Philip Salaman, managing director of certification and accreditation body F-Gas / Quidos, will explain how to ensure compliance for those affected by the new regulation.

With many of the UK's leading refrigerant suppliers exhibiting at the show, visitors will also be able to see and discuss the new ranges of alternatives being introduced to fill the gap left by high GWP HFCs.

The show, the only national exhibition dedicated to the UK air conditioning and refrigeration industry, is backed by leading air conditioning supplier and headline sponsor, Daikin UK.

Visitors can pre-register to attend the show via the show website, with free access to seminars on a first-come, first-served basis.

To find out more about visiting visit: www.acrshow.co.uk

For details on exhibiting contact Jan Thorpe on 01622 699 113, or Karena Cooper on 01622 699150 (email jthorpe@datateam.co.uk or kcooper@datateam.co.uk)