UNEP, IIR and CSG to Host 21st European RACHP Conference in Milan

Refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump technologies will be the focus of the 21st European Conference, held on June 12–13 at the Politecnico di Milano. The event is organized by UNEP, IIR, and Centro Studi Galileo, in collaboration with AREA, ATF, and REI. It will gather international experts, institutions, academics, and companies to discuss environmental challenges, regulatory updates, and sector innovations.

The conference will open with a keynote by Bente Tranholm Schwarz from the European Commission – DG Clima, addressing updates on the new F-gas Regulation. Topics will include technician certifications, mobile air conditioning attestations, exemptions on product bans, the CO2 quota payment system, and the integration of the F-gas Portal with the EU “Single Window” customs platform.

Five thematic sessions are scheduled, focusing on new refrigerants and the F-gas Regulation, equipment with alternative refrigerants, legislation and training (including a new Italian decree), green cooling and energy efficiency, and the role of artificial intelligence in the cold chain and predictive maintenance.

Speakers will include representatives from UNEP, IIR, ASHRAE, AHRI, EPEE, JSRAE, CAR, INWIC, as well as university researchers and industry experts.

A dedicated session on Women in Cooling and Refrigeration will feature the Women in Cooling Video Competition award ceremony, supported by World Refrigeration Day and AREA.

The event also celebrates the 50th anniversary of Centro Studi Galileo and includes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between AREA and World Refrigeration Day, highlighting a joint commitment to sustainability, education, and gender inclusion.

A press conference will take place on June 12 at 4:00 p.m., with registration available at the reception.