R134a disposal and servicing: what is allowed after 2032?
You may still top up R134a today, including with virgin gas. From 1 January 2032, stationary refrigeration equipment may only be serviced with reclaimed or recycled R134a; chillers and heat pumps are not covered by that rule. Because the EU HFC quota roughly halves in 2027, reclaimed R134a is in demand, and Gaia Cooling collects recovered R134a.
- GWP
- 1430
- Type
- HFC, single component
- Destination
- Reuse after reclamation
What applies to R134a
- 2017
New cars with air conditioning using refrigerant with a GWP above 150 may no longer be registered. Existing R134a car air conditioning may still be refilled.
- 2027
New chillers above 12 kW using refrigerant with a GWP of 750 or more, such as R134a, may no longer be placed on the market, unless safety requirements at the site make it necessary. The maximum amount of new HFCs allowed on the EU market roughly halves, from 42.9 to 21.7 million tonnes CO₂ equivalent per year.
- 2032
Servicing stationary refrigeration equipment with virgin R134a is banned. Reclaimed and recycled R134a remains allowed, with no end date in the Regulation. Chillers, air conditioning and heat pumps are not covered by this ban.
R134a is found in chillers for comfort and process cooling, in medium-temperature commercial refrigeration, in heat pumps, in transport refrigeration and in the air conditioning of older cars.
In chillers R1234ze, R513A or propane (R290), in commercial refrigeration CO₂ (R744) or propane, in cars R1234yf. Existing systems are sometimes converted to R513A or R450A.
Offering R134a
We collect recovered R134a from installers, wholesalers and equipment owners, including from chillers being replaced. Collection goes through a licensed carrier, we handle the paperwork and we look at the price lot by lot. The gas goes to a licensed reclamation plant and returns to the market for servicing existing systems.
Questions about R134a
Can I still top up R134a?
Yes. There is currently no servicing ban for R134a. From 1 January 2032, stationary refrigeration equipment may only be topped up with reclaimed or recycled R134a. That ban does not apply to chillers, air conditioning or heat pumps.
Does the 2032 ban apply to an R134a chiller?
No. The 2032 ban on virgin refrigerant with a GWP of 750 or more excludes chillers. However, from 1 January 2027 new chillers above 12 kW using R134a may no longer be placed on the market, unless safety requirements make it necessary.
Why is reclaimed R134a in demand?
New R134a may only be placed on the EU market with quota, and that quota roughly halves in 2027. Gas recovered in the EU and then reclaimed sits outside the quota, so it adds supply to a tighter market. For disposal, gas type, purity, quantity and location set the price.
How do I offer R134a?
Have the gas recovered by a technician with a valid F-gas certificate, into a separate cylinder per gas type. Tell us how many kilos there are and where. We look at the lot and you know where you stand upfront. We only schedule collection once you agree, and we handle the paperwork.