Fluorinated greenhouse gases
Since 2006 the EU has a separate regulation dealing with certain fluorinated greenhouse gases outside of the EU ETS78 In 2014 the original regulation was replaced by Regulation 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases in order to clarify and in certain respects extend the measures established in 2006.69 Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are used in a range of industrial applications, often as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. But the F-gases are powerful greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential up to 23,000 times greater than carbon dioxide, and are covered by the Kyoto Protocol.
The objective of the Regulation is to protect the environment by reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases. To that end it establishes rules on containment, use, recovery, and destruction of such gases, and on related ancillary measures. It imposes conditions on the placing on the market of specific products and equipment that contain, or whose functioning relies upon, fluorinated greenhouse gases. It also imposes conditions on specific uses of such gases and lays down quantitative limits for the placing on the market of hydrofluorocarbons.
