Review of the regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases: 'Fit for 55' package

On 5 April 2022, the Commission presented a proposal for a regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases that would repeal Regulation (EU) No 517/2014. The proposal is among the last from the 'fit for 55' package, seeking to align EU climate and energy laws with the EU Climate Law's 2030 target. The proposal aims to further reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). It would change the existing quota system, gradually reducing the supply of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) to the EU market to 2.4 % of 2015 levels by 2048. It would also ban F-gases in specific applications and update the rules on implementing best practices, leak checking, record keeping, training, waste treatment and penalties. The current licensing system and labelling obligations would be strengthened in order to improve enforcement of trade restrictions. Finally, the proposal would align EU legislation with the requirements of the Montreal Protocol to reduce production of HFCs. Parliament referred the file to its Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), which adopted a report on 1 March 2023, approved in plenary on 30 March. The Council adopted its position on 5 April 2023. Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on 5 October 2023, since endorsed by both Coreper and the ENVI committee. The final act was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 20 February 2024. Fifth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.