Reading, UK: The Food Storage and Distribution Federation has criticised EU proposals to minimise emissions of fluorinated gases used in commercial refrigeration systems.
Late last year the European Commission announced a review of F-gas regulations. The review has been extended to refrigeration systems on vehicles.
Chris Sturman, chair, Food Storage and Distribution Federation, says its Transfrigoroute Committee is working suppliers and operators to minimise the effect of any change in regulation.
“The EC argues that the EU’s low Carbon Road Map exceeds current ambitions, calling for a reduction in emissions of 80 to 95% by 2050.
“Unfortunately for the EC, the debate has moved on from carbon reduction to energy savings, as some carbon measures bring with them energy penalties. This is certainly true in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector where alternatives to non- flammable, non-toxic HFC refrigerants can induce higher indirect emissions due to their lower efficiencies (along with safety issues over toxicity, flammability or high working pressures).
“We know that there is no perfect refrigerant. A range of refrigerants has been developed to provide alternatives to match specific applications. This review ignores that reality, and seeks to impose restrictions on refrigerant availability in an arbitrary manner, being prescriptive in areas where legislators have no professional competence, or any understanding of the detailed consequences.”
