News

The BIFM is supporting an initiative to communicate the HCFC phase-out issue as a complete ban on the use and sale of virgin HCFC gases will be introduced on 1 January 2010 following the introduction of binding EU legislation in 2000 based upon the Montreal Protocol. This will be followed by a total ban on the use and sale of recycled HCFC gases in 2015.
HCFCs are used primarily in commercial refrigeration, air conditioning and industrial cooling and the ban will thus significantly affect the business continuity and costs incurred for any businesses using these installations – ranging from retailers to food manufacturers to office facilities. One of the 5 biggest sectoral users of these gases is the facility management sector. We are therefore communicating this legislation due to the impact that this will have on the facility management sector through the widespread use of HCFCs in air conditioning.

In the EU, several million systems continue to run on HCFCs, and with less than 90 weeks left to act, time to replace, refit or retrofit these systems is rapidly running out. This situation is attributable to a broad lack of awareness of the legislation and its impact, as well as the mistaken assumption by some that the supply of recycled HCFCs will be sufficient to service systems until 2015. Supply of recycled HCFCs will in fact only be sufficient to meet at best 10-15% of demand between 2010 and 2015.

To gain a clearer idea of the prevailing situation, refrigerants manufacturer DuPont is conducting a survey in conjunction with Research International to gauge the level of preparedness and awareness regarding this legislation in 9 European countries. This survey is also designed to raise awareness and impart information, both through the questions themselves and an informational website, launched in conjunction with the survey. The results of the survey will be available from the end of May.

Please complete the online survey by clicking here.

The good news is that there are solutions available for each and every HCFC user. The right solution will depend largely on the age and condition of your existing equipment, as well as its use. You will find impartial, sound advice on the various options on the wakeup2phaseout website, in addition to which you are advised to consult your contractor or supplier for an assessment of the best solution for your needs.
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For  more information on the issue please follow the link below.

Wakeup2phaseout campaign site