The End of R22 in the UK
R22 (chlorodifluoromethane) was the workhorse refrigerant of UK air conditioning and refrigeration for decades. As an HCFC, it contains chlorine and was found to contribute to ozone layer depletion. The UK, as part of its obligations under the Montreal Protocol, banned the use of virgin R22 from 2010 and all forms of R22 — including recycled and reclaimed gas — from 1 January 2015.
Current Status of R22 in the UK
As of 2025, R22 is completely prohibited for use in refrigeration and air conditioning in the UK. Engineers may not add any R22 to any system — even recovered or recycled gas cannot legally be reused. Any R22 system still in operation must either be converted to an alternative refrigerant or decommissioned.
R22 System Retrofit Options
For building managers and facility teams still operating legacy R22 equipment, the main options are:
- Drop-in replacement refrigerant: R417A, R422D and R407C have been used as near-drop-in replacements in R22 systems. Note that R407C requires POE oil and thorough mineral oil flushing.
- System replacement: New equipment using R32 or R410A offers far better efficiency and lower operating costs than aging R22 plant
What to Do With an R22 System
Contact an F-Gas certified refrigeration engineer to assess your equipment. They can advise on retrofit viability versus replacement cost and carry out the decommissioning of any existing R22 charge safely and in compliance with F-Gas regulations. All recovered R22 must be sent to an approved reclaim or destruction facility.
For replacement refrigerant supply across all post-R22 systems, browse our full refrigerant gas range.