From AREA:
AREA fully supports the EU’s climate-neutrality objectives and the transition to low-GWP alternatives under the F-gas Regulation. Contractors play a central role in designing, installing and maintaining RACHP systems with neutrality toward technologies and refrigerants. However, two issues increasingly threaten this transition: the illegal trade of refrigerants and widespread uncertified work.
Illegal refrigerant trade
The black market for HFCs continues to expand in Europe due to quota restrictions, price disparities with non-EU markets, and, in some countries, additional taxes. OLAF reported major seizures in 2024, illustrating the scale of the problem. Illegal refrigerants undermine environmental policy by keeping high-GWP gases available at low cost, damage fair competition, and pose severe safety risks when cylinders contain contaminated or mislabelled products.
To counter this, AREA calls for national databases tracking refrigerant movements, reinforced border controls, full enforcement of F-gas provisions, public awareness campaigns, and the formal involvement of industry associations as partners in prevention and compliance.
Uncertified work
Illegal trade is closely linked to unauthorised installations and maintenance performed by non-certified individuals or companies. Limited inspection capacity in many Member States allows this phenomenon to grow, creating unfair competition—often with drastically lower prices—and leading to inefficient, unsafe systems that slow the energy transition.
AREA recommends establishing public national registries of certified contractors, strengthening penalties, increasing inspection resources, raising consumer awareness and introducing fiscal incentives to encourage compliant work.
AREA urges EU institutions and Member States to act rapidly. As Europe accelerates the shift toward low-carbon refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technologies, illegal activities must not be allowed to jeopardise progress or undermine the credibility of the sector.
The complete original version of the statement is available here: