NEW EUROPEAN REGULATION FOR HCFC REPLACEMENT (R22)
(2037/2000 Regulation)

01/01/2000
Prohibition of utilisation in the following new fittings:
- Warehouses in the public and distribution sector
- Fittings with shaft power > 150 kW

01/01/2001
Prohibition of utilisation to manufacture all new fittings, except for:
- Fixed air conditioning systems with refrigeration capacity < 100 kWt
- Reversible air conditioning systems, such as heat pumps

01/07/2002
Prohibition of utilisation to manufacture all fixed air conditioning systems

01/01/2004
Prohibition of utilisation to manufacture all new fittings

01/01/2009
End of the exemption for military applications

01/01/2010
Prohibition of utilisation of virgin HCFC to upkeep and repair all fittings

01/01/2015
Prohibition of utilisation of recycled HCFC to upkeep and repair all fittings

Coolant recovery

During upkeep and repair operations or before dismantling or eliminating conditioning and refrigeration systems, coolants contained therein must be recovered to be destroyed through suitable technologies or to be recycled.

Leak control

In order to  reduce coolant leaks as much as possible an annual plant control with a load higher than 3 kg is compulsory.
The Commission will promote the drawing up of European rules about leak control and recovery of any substance coming out from fittings and plants.