24 November 2025
France reports declining HFC emissions and outlines key F-Gas regulation changes
In September 2025, the AFCE (Alliance Froid Climatisation Environnement) and Citepa published France’s latest refrigerant emissions inventory, covering 2023 data with provisional estimates for 2024. The report details emissions, bank volumes, recovery, and demand for all refrigerant types, including CFC, HCFC, HFC (including HFOs), and non-fluorinated gases such as CO2 and NH3.
In 2023, HFC emissions accounted for 2.3% of France’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with refrigeration and air conditioning contributing 84% of the country’s fluorinated gas emissions. The total refrigerant bank reached 67,000 tonnes, a 4.5% increase from 2022, with R-410A representing the largest share. Emissions totaled 5,910 tonnes in 2023, down 1.7% from 2022, with a continued decline expected for 2024.
The report attributes these reductions to improved leak management, better training, more efficient recovery, and the rising use of low-GWP alternatives. Emissions in CO2 equivalent dropped by 10% between 2022 and 2023, reaching 7.1 million tonnes.
In parallel, the updated European F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573, effective since March 2024, introduces stricter measures. These include expanded training and certification requirements, new labeling rules using GWP values from different IPCC reports depending on gas type, and broadened leak detection obligations to cover HFOs and mobile systems. New bans target the placing on the market of certain fixed refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, with gradual phase-out timelines extending to 2050.
Technicians must undergo retraining within five years, and new categories have been added for working with CO2, NH3, and hydrocarbons. From 2025, all systems using fluorinated gases, including HFOs, must carry updated labels. The regulation also tightens rules on reuse of high-GWP fluids and expands mandatory recovery responsibilities.
According to AFCE and Citepa, 75% of operating refrigerants in France still belong to the HFC family, underlining the importance of recovery and transition planning.
“The new structure of the 2025 edition improves clarity and sector comparison, offering a comprehensive view of refrigerant emissions and usage trends in France,” notes the report introduction.
September 2025 Report: Refrigerants
New F-Gas Regulation: Key Points of the New Regulation – October 2025
In 2023, HFC emissions accounted for 2.3% of France’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with refrigeration and air conditioning contributing 84% of the country’s fluorinated gas emissions. The total refrigerant bank reached 67,000 tonnes, a 4.5% increase from 2022, with R-410A representing the largest share. Emissions totaled 5,910 tonnes in 2023, down 1.7% from 2022, with a continued decline expected for 2024.
The report attributes these reductions to improved leak management, better training, more efficient recovery, and the rising use of low-GWP alternatives. Emissions in CO2 equivalent dropped by 10% between 2022 and 2023, reaching 7.1 million tonnes.
In parallel, the updated European F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573, effective since March 2024, introduces stricter measures. These include expanded training and certification requirements, new labeling rules using GWP values from different IPCC reports depending on gas type, and broadened leak detection obligations to cover HFOs and mobile systems. New bans target the placing on the market of certain fixed refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, with gradual phase-out timelines extending to 2050.
Technicians must undergo retraining within five years, and new categories have been added for working with CO2, NH3, and hydrocarbons. From 2025, all systems using fluorinated gases, including HFOs, must carry updated labels. The regulation also tightens rules on reuse of high-GWP fluids and expands mandatory recovery responsibilities.
According to AFCE and Citepa, 75% of operating refrigerants in France still belong to the HFC family, underlining the importance of recovery and transition planning.
“The new structure of the 2025 edition improves clarity and sector comparison, offering a comprehensive view of refrigerant emissions and usage trends in France,” notes the report introduction.
September 2025 Report: Refrigerants
New F-Gas Regulation: Key Points of the New Regulation – October 2025