EU Emissions Policy Raises PFAS Concern

A new EU regulation regarding fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases), aimed at reducing artificial emissions from air conditioners, refrigerators, and heat pumps, takes effect today (March 11). However, an NGO has cautioned that this law could potentially increase exposure to harmful “forever chemicals”.

The International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec), an NGO advocating for the substitution of toxic substances with safer options, raised concerns that hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) are not adequately regulated under the new legislation.

HFOs

HFOs a group of substances known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), notoriously difficult to eliminate from the environment and nicknamed “forever chemicals”.

ChemSec

ChemSec expresses concern that the F-gases law might inadvertently worsen the PFAS pollution crisis. This concern arises as the EU plans to drastically reduce carbon emissions. These heating and cooling systems heavily depend on refrigerant gases like HFOs.

Jonatan Kleimark, senior chemicals advisor at ChemSec, highlights that PFAS concentrations in the environment and water sources are already dangerously high. He emphasizes that safer alternatives are presently available in the market.

ChemSec suggests that ammonia, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide could effectively replace PFAS-containing F-gases. They advocate for legislative measures to accelerate the transition towards these safer alternatives.

Legislation

Kleimark further suggests that enacting legislation is the most effective approach to phase out fluorinated gases. He argues that transitioning to natural refrigerants presents a dual benefit, decrease PFAS pollution and support global decarbonization efforts.

Alessia Del Vasto, senior policy officer at the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), notes that HFOs currently fall outside the scope of F-gas regulation. However, their utilization and potential prohibition are currently under evaluation by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

Del Vasto emphasizes the commitment of the heat pump sector to adopt non-fluorinated refrigerants whenever technically viable. She underscores that this commitment now reinforced by the clear timeline outlined in the F-gas regulation.

The Heat Pump Industry

Del Vasto informed Euronews that the heat pump industry dedicated to adopting non-fluorinated refrigerants wherever technically possible. She emphasized that this commitment now reinforced by the clearly defined timeline outlined in the F-gas regulation.

According to Anastasia Tsougka, programme manager at ECOS – Environmental Coalition on Standards, all fluorinated gases, including HFOs, will ultimately face a ban in heat pumps across the EU by 2035. Tsougka highlighted the significant number of European companies already manufacturing heat pumps that utilize natural refrigerants.

Tsougka further emphasized to Euronews the critical role heat pumps play in decarbonizing heating, noting that numerous clean solutions already exist. She cautioned against replacing one harmful environmental impact with another, asserting that using fluorinated gases in heat pumps would perpetuate this cycle.

Originally regulated in the EU in 2014, F-gases underwent revision proposed by the European Commission in 2022. However, a compromise between the European Parliament and the Council was only reached under the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council last October.

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