The F-Gas quota is the mechanism that’s steadily reducing the supply of high-GWP refrigerants. Understanding it explains why prices rise and why the industry is switching to low-GWP gases.
What the quota is
Rather than banning refrigerants outright, the F-Gas Regulation caps the total quantity of HFCs that can be placed on the market each period — measured not in tonnes of gas, but in tonnes of CO2-equivalent (mass × GWP). This cap steps down over time.
Why it favours low-GWP
Because the limit is in CO2-equivalent, a given amount of quota goes much further with low-GWP gases. Selling 1 tonne of a GWP-3922 refrigerant uses far more quota than 1 tonne of a GWP-600 one. This pushes suppliers and engineers towards low-GWP products.
The effect on prices and availability
As the quota tightens, high-GWP refrigerants like R404A and R410A become scarcer and more expensive, while reclaimed refrigerant becomes more valuable. Planning ahead protects your business from price shocks.
FAQ
Is high-GWP refrigerant banned? Not entirely — but the shrinking quota makes it increasingly scarce and costly, effectively pushing it out of the market over time.
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