The F-gas regulation
F gases are controlled by European Regulation (EC) No. 517/2014 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases. This Regulation aims to cut EU emissions of F-gases by two thirds by 2030 compared to levels in 2014.
The F-gas Regulation:
- controls emissions of F-gases by requiring leak checking, proper servicing and maintenance of F-gas equipment and recovery of F-gases at end of life
- introduces bans on the use of F-gases where less harmful alternatives are available
- limits the total amount of F-gases that can be sold in the EU through phased reductions in imports
The main uses of fluorinated greenhouse gases are in stationary and mobile refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, fire protection, high voltage switch gear, semiconductor production as well as in foams, aerosols and metered dose inhalers. In many cases, HFCs have been used to replace ozone depleting substances such as CFCs and HCFCs in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and halons in fire protection systems.
In addition to the F-gas Regulation, there is a series of implementing EU Regulations to address specific requirements as follows:
- Leak checking – stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector
- Leak checking – stationary fire protection systems
- Certification of companies and personnel – stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector
- Certification of companies and personnel – stationary fire protection systems and fire extinguishers
- Certification of companies and personnel – high voltage switch gear
- Certification of companies and personnel – f-gas based solvents
- Certification of companies and personnel – mobile air conditioning systems
- Labelling – equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases
- Reporting formats – producers, importers and exporters
Stay compliant and have your equipment inspected at the required intervals.
Ultraviolet Leak Detection
Using various leak detection methods, all accessible areas are leak checked before sign off on an F-Gas inspection.
Example of ultraviolet leak detection. A ultraviolet dye is injected into the HVAC equipment. This dye is permanently in the HVAC system. Once the dye has mixed with the refrigerant, traces of the dye are left behind where there is a refrigerant leak.
Using a powerful UV light and special UV glasses, the dye will glow under the UV light.

Electronic Leak Detection
Example of electronic leak detection. A hand held leak detector (sniffer) is used to identify the source of leaks.
The unit beeps with increasing frequency as it gets closer to the leak.

Ultrasonic Leak Detecton
Example of an ultrasonic leak detecton. Refrigerant leaks generate a sound at a particular frequency range. The ultrasonic leak detector can locate the leak following the sound emitted.
Disadvantages of the ultraviolet leak detection are that it has limited use in noisy environments.

Leak Detector Sprays
Leak detection sprays are formulated for the specific purpose of detecting leaks at different ambient temperaturers.
