The European Parliament’s Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health Policy recommended introducing PFAS regulation through the existing F-gas regulation.
The study was prepared at the request of the Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and examines how PFAS support industrial competitiveness in the EU and the potential impact of full or partial restrictions on f-gases.
The report recommends removing F-gases from the scope of uPFAS limits and instead concentrating all F-gas regulations on existing F-gas regulations.
“This will enable Europe to maintain its innovation capacity in green technologies while promoting the development of alternative technologies in a more gradual manner wherever possible,” the report says.
Current European proposals to limit PFAS
The study was in response to a proposal from five European member states (Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark) to restrict PFAS substances under the European REACH regulation.
This proposal would ban the single component gases R125, R134a, R143a, and the HFOs R1234yf and R1234ze(E), impacting virtually all new and current low-GWP HFC/HFO refrigerant blends. The most important refrigerant that falls outside the PFAS definition is R32.
Replacement of f-gas proves unfeasible
The study focused on six major fluoropolymers and fluorinated gases used in aerospace, defense, green energy, and semiconductors, and found that substitution is often not possible, particularly in aerospace, defense, and semiconductors.
Under both of the above restriction options, substantial economic losses and employment impacts are anticipated, as well as risks to the EU’s global competitiveness.
The new report recognizes that heat pumps are a key green technology for achieving the ambitious targets set out in the European Green Deal and the Fit-for-55 programme, and says that while alternatives using non-fluorinated gases are available, heat pumps are still a developing technology and are not currently a universal alternative solution.
Furthermore, we believe that the cost and performance implications of potential substitutes may limit the possibility of substitution.
The report explains: “The current F-gas regulation covers many F-gases and many of their applications on a separate regulatory basis, and mechanisms are already built into this regulation to ensure updates and revisions to reflect current technology and alternatives within Europe.”
A more subtle approach to phasing out harmful gases
The report argues that existing F-gas regulations allow for a more “nuanced approach” to regulating and phasing out the use of F-gases, while also encouraging the development of alternative gases in a more gradual manner.
This will have a much less disruptive impact on European industry, while at the same time allowing Europe to maintain its ability and ability to innovate with green technologies.
Source link
