Evidence of potential harm to business can help to influence future regulations

The Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA) is calling on its members to provide evidence to the government about the potential effects of proposed changes to regulations regarding the use of F-Gases in commercial refrigeration and other types of equipment. “If not implemented correctly, these regulations could seriously affect the foodservice sector,” says Andy Threlfall, technical and policy director at the FEA. “It’s vital that we provide the government with data to help guide them correctly.”

FEA is particularly concerned about the potential impact on specialist refrigeration equipment, such as some icemaker applications, blast chillers and thawing cabinets, and appliances such as heat pumps. “In some instances the greener alternatives to the current gasses are not viable either for safety reasons or where cooling efficiency can be affected,” says Threlfall.  “The science needs to be given time to catch up with the carbon objectives.”  There are two pieces or legislation which are worrying manufacturers, the new limits on F-gas, and the possible ban of credible alternative refrigerants included in the proposed PFAS restrictions under REACH.

A multinational effort is seeing FEA working with the European Federation of Catering Equipment Manufacturers (EFCEM). This is to influence the proposed regulatory changes that will be required in response to new restrictions the European Commission is planning to introduce in 2024. These new regulations will tighten controls on the use of fluorinated refrigerants in the drive to reduce the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. This would see refrigerants like HFOs and HFCs banned from manufacture and sale where suitable alternatives exist, as part of the aim to meet Carbon Net Zero targets by 2030.

The UK Government will be rewriting the current legislation relating to these issues as well, in response to the new European laws. These will be in line with its wider aims relating to meeting Carbon Net Zero commitments, and remaining complaint with EU and international regulations. 

The government intends to issue a consultation in either late 2023 or early 2024, and will implement the new F-Gas regulations in 2025.

Before that, DEFRA will shortly be sending out an industry survey to help them plan a phasedown schedule. The phasedown of F-gas equipment needs to be tailored to the UK market, be both technically and economically feasible, and allow for adequate plans for important users of F-gas, like heat pumps. Any decision reached will be evidence based.

The FEA will be putting in a response to the DEFRA survey and is calling for any of its members who will be affected by the changes to submit information. Furthermore, if any manufacturer affected by the proposed restrictions to F-gas wishes to submit data directly, the FEA will be able to request DEFRA to send individual links to the survey.

The FEA has already submitted comments to the European Commission through its EFCEM links in relation to both F-Gas and the PFAS changes. It has requested that specialist refrigeration and heat pumps be placed outside the scope of PFAS restrictions.

If you would like to participate in the Defra survey please use this link to register an interest in participating.

The Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA)is the independent, authoritative voice of the foodservice equipment industry, representing nearly 200 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering equipment - from utensils to full kitchen schemes.  For more information on FEA visit www.fea.org.uk 

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John Cunningham, FEA chief executive: 020 7793 3030

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