In a letter sent to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) insisted on the important role of MEPs to ensure the success of the F-Gas Regulation. EPEE called on MEPs to put pressure on the European Commission should Member States or stakeholders fail to comply with the Regulation.

 

EPEE, which represents the majority of the European-based air-conditioning, heat-pump and refrigeration industry, also took the opportunity on the first anniversary of the entry into force of the F-Gas Regulation to remind MEPs that the industry itself is pro-actively involved in making the F-gas Regulation a success. The partenership firmly believes that containment is an excellent way to prevent F-gases from leaking out of cooling equipment. As different cooling technologies need to be adapted to diverse uses, EPEE strongly advocates maintaining the free choice of refrigerants, including F-gases which remain essential for many types of applications.

 

The challenge is now for the industry to live up to its commitment and demonstrate that it can achieve real and continued emission reductions. EPEE’s answer to this challenge includes several initiatives, both in terms of industrial adaptation and external communication. For example, EPEE members are already complying with the requirements on labelling and leak checks and are preparing their staff to meet by 4 July 2009 the training and certification requirements established by Member States. According to the organization’s press release, national industry associations, which are also members of EPEE, have greatly contributed to disseminating information within Member States on how to comply with the F-gas Regulation. It has furthermore produced several useful publications to educate users and handlers of F-gases on the Regulation, such as is the EPEE FAQ, translated into several EU languages, and has launched a new website in cooperation with the European Fluorocarbons Technical Committee (EFCTC), Figaroo ("F-Gas Regulation Online Observatory").