Explanatory note

These Regulations make updates to existing Regulations on fluorinated greenhouse gases (“F-gases”).

F-gases are, in the short term, harmless to humans, animals and plants. However, in the long term, they have a very high Global Warming Potential (“GWP”), much higher than carbon dioxide, contributing to rising global temperatures.

EU legislation therefore requires that the use of F-gases is restricted and monitored. Laws on F-gases have therefore been compiled for Northern Ireland (including on offshore installations in Northern Ireland waters), as F-gases are used in a number of sectors of industry in Northern Ireland.

Some of the features of these amending Regulations are the introduction of new requirements for businesses on labelling of equipment containing F-gases, the inclusion of work with refrigeration units of refrigerated trucks and trailers in several F-gas offences, and a new requirement for businesses transferring F-gas work to another organisation.

The Regulations also contain a new certification requirement for work with F-gases in stationary refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps and the refrigeration units of trucks and trailers. There is also a variation in the existing provisions on certification for work with F-gases in electrical switchgear.

An impact assessment of the effect that these Regulations would have upon the costs of business is available from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Klondyke Building, 1 Cromac Avenue, Gasworks Business Park, Belfast, BT7 2JA.