The hot topics are a phased ban on HFC refrigerants, a cap on HFC production/distribution and a tightening of current measures.

So lets discuss the implications:

The ban of all HFC refrigerants (to you and me that’s everything starting with a 4) would mean goodbye to R410A, R407c (good riddance) and 404A etc.

I believe this will spell the death of multi and VRF systems, as the options for new refrigerants include CO2 and natural refrigerants.

One of our Japanese friends is developing a CO2 VRF system, but as yet its COP is hideous and the pressure issue has to be addressed.

CO2 has pressure problems. It's typically 5x the pressures we now see with 410A and the naturals all burn like hell or are really poisonous, so rules restrict their use in occupied spaces.

A cap on HFC production/distribution would mean a rapid price rise for these gases causing a gold rush for these gases. It would definitely make us think much harder about leak testing and proper installation. If you don’t believe me look what happened when the petrol price went to £1.20 a litre. Didn’t that make you think of changing your car?

A tightening of current measures is a great idea, if you are a bureaucrat, but in the real world its almost pointless. In my experience I have found that contractors have ignored the F-gas regulations or just don’t know about it. So far it's not effecting their businesses due to the slow implementation and dithering by the authorities.

We have been talking about this regulation for years and still no body has had the training.

I am in favour of this regulation because I think it will make our trade more professional. It’s not acceptable that units are installed which constantly leak. There is no excuse for this bad workmanship.

If it works then I will be really happy but heres a sobering thought. I work for the biggest air-conditioning company in the world, we will produce 14 million units in 2008, half of them will be filled with R22 because outside of Europe nobody uses 400 series refrigerants. The level of installation in some other countries is appalling (go to www.mylg.co.uk and see the hall of shame for examples). We, in Europe need to lead the way but we need to get the rest of the world to follow or we are just wasting our breath.