HFOs are the fourth generation of synthetic refrigerants and differ from earlier generations of fluorinated refrigerants by having a low GWP and no ODP. HFOs are used in RACHP, cars’ AC systems, foam-blowing agents, and aerosol propellants. Since HFOs are technically HFCs, it is possible to modify some of the existing HFC systems to HFOs. Furthermore, some HFC/HFO blends can work as drop-ins in existing systems, unlike natural refrigerants which require entirely new systems and have high construction costs.
The use of HFOs is increasing and is expected to continue to increase in the foreseeable future. Due to the longevity of the products where they are in use, they are expected to continuously enter the waste stream in the coming decades. But HFOs are the cause environmental and potential health concerns, as HFOs degrade to TFA, a PFAS substance which can end up in water bodies where they are highly persistent. Studies show a continued increase in TFA concentrations in water bodies across Europe.
HFOs are listed as Annex II gases in the European F-gas Regulation No 517/2014 and are only partly covered by the regulation. HFOs are currently subject to the reporting requirements described in Article 19. Still, the reporting requirements rarely step into force due to the low GWP of HFOs with reporting only being required beyond thresholds of 100 tonnes of CO2eq or 1 metric tonne. However, this will likely change with the upcoming update of the F-gas Regulation. The proposed update includes HFOs in Article 4 (prevention of emissions) and 8 (recovery and destruction). ECHA is currently treating a proposal to ban PFAS, which, if adopted, can greatly impact the future use of HFOs since the most common HFOs are categorised within the proposed definition for PFAS.
The countries mapped in this study have all implemented the EU F-gas Regulation or equivalent regulation, except for the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands are currently in the process of adopting their first legislation on F-gases, but HFOs are not included. Denmark, Iceland and Norway have all implemented refund schemes for HFCs. There is no refund for HFOs in Norway. On the contrary, it is associated with costs to hand in HFOs after recovery. The Danish refund scheme is voluntary. Denmark, Iceland, and Norway have all placed a tax on fluorinated refrigerants. HFOs are exempt in Norway and Iceland. In Denmark, the tax on HFO-1234yf and HFO1234ze is as low as 0.17 €/kg, as the substance’s GWP determines the fee. Sweden has implemented a regulation that mandates that those who supply F-gases must take these back and provide containers for this purpose, free of charge. HFOs are not covered by the regulation.