EU 517/2014 + 2024/573 explained for technicians

From 2015 to March 2024, the European F-gas Regulation (EU) 517/2014 applied. On 11 March 2024 it was repealed and replaced by (EU) 2024/573, which has applied since then and tightens the rules on several points. For technicians who write work orders and move cylinders every day: what actually changes?

This article sets it out in practical language.

What was (EU) 517/2014 again?

The F-gas Regulation regulates the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases in the EU. Three main points:

1. Quota: how much F-gas may enter the EU market each year. Falls every few years. 2. Leakage requirements: how often you have to do a leak check (based on the CO₂-eq of the installation). 3. Personal certification: only certified technicians may handle F-gases (NL: BRL 200).

In the Netherlands this is implemented via the Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving (Bal) with the Omgevingsregeling — since 1 January 2024 the successor to the Activiteitenregeling milieubeheer under the Omgevingswet.

What changes in (EU) 2024/573?

### 1. Stricter quota reduction

The quota that manufacturers + importers may supply falls to around 12% of the 2015 level from 2027, and to around 5% from 2030 (Annex VII of Regulation (EU) 2024/573).

For technicians: R-410A and R-404A become steadily more expensive + harder to get. Plan maintenance + retrofits accordingly.

### 2. PFAS restriction

Many F-gases (HFCs) fall under the PFAS definition and become subject to the PFAS restriction. This mainly affects:

• R-1234yf (car air conditioning) — breaks down in the atmosphere into trifluoroacetates (TFA)
• Component replacements with HFOs

For technicians: TFA levels in rainwater are being monitored. For your day-to-day work little changes, but for large retrofits the PFAS discussion can influence the choice of refrigerant.

### 3. Ban on very-high-GWP refrigerant in new systems

Banned in new installations from 2025:

• R-404A (GWP 3922) — already de facto phased out, now official
• R-410A in single-split <3 kg (from 2025, GWP limit 750) and in split air conditioners/heat pumps up to 12 kW (from 2027, GWP limit 150)
• Mobile air conditioning does not fall under this regulation — a separate GWP ban has applied to that since 2011/2017 via the MAC Directive (2006/40/EC)

For technicians: New installations with these refrigerants may no longer be sold. Maintenance on existing systems remains permitted until end of life — but expect steadily higher costs for R-410A when topping up.

### 4. Improved leak detection

For installations > 500 tonnes CO₂-eq, automatic leak detection is mandatory (this was already the case), but the requirements for the detection system have been tightened: sensors must be inspected every 12 months + a logbook must be kept.

For technicians: For large-system installations (industrial, supermarkets) check the sensor calibration during every annual service.

### 5. Mandatory training in alternatives

Personal certificates (BRL 200 in the Netherlands) must from now on also explicitly include knowledge of low-GWP alternatives (R-32, R-454B, R-744 CO₂, R-290 propane). Some existing certificates need to be brought up to date.

For technicians: Check your BRL 200 expiry date + whether an "addendum 2024/573" is required by your certification body.

The 5 leak-check tables you need to know

Below is the difference between 517/2014 and 2024/573 for leak-check frequencies:

| Amount of CO₂-eq | Leak-check frequency (2024/573) | Previous (517/2014) | |---|---|---| | < 5 tonnes CO₂-eq | Not mandatory | Same — 517/2014 also started at 5 tonnes | | 5 – 50 tonnes CO₂-eq | 1× per 12 months | Same | | 50 – 500 tonnes CO₂-eq | 1× per 6 months | Same | | ≥ 500 tonnes CO₂-eq | Detection system mandatory, therefore 1× per 6 months | Same |

For follow-up visits after a leak is found: the recheck may only take place at least 24 hours after the repair (new compared to 517/2014), and must in any case be carried out within 1 month — that month deadline itself is unchanged.

Calculating CO₂-eq — quick formula

For people who don't always have it memorized:

CO₂-eq (kg) = amount of refrigerant (kg) × GWP CO₂-eq (tonnes) = the above / 1000

Examples:

• 5 kg R-410A = 5 × 2088 = 10,440 kg CO₂-eq = 10.4 tonnes CO₂-eq → 12-monthly leak check mandatory
• 2 kg R-32 = 2 × 675 = 1,350 kg CO₂-eq = 1.4 tonnes CO₂-eq → no mandatory leak check

Our F-gas Excel template as a free download does this calculation automatically — print it out and hang it on the wall.

What should you do today?

1. Take stock of your portfolio by CO₂-eq. Which installations are close to the 5-tonne threshold? Plan the next leak checks. 2. Check BRL 200 certificates of all technicians + apply for a "2024/573 addendum" from Kiwa/STEK if needed. 3. Plan R-410A phase-out for the installations you expect to maintain longest. Retrofitting to R-454B is often a good alternative. 4. Build up a refrigerant balance that adds up. With rising prices, every kg that "goes missing" gets more expensive. The Koldwerk refrigerant module automatically warns on any discrepancy greater than 0.01 kg.

Cross-references

• F-gas quota 2027: how to prepare your business?
• R-32 vs R-410A vs R-454B: which refrigerant do you choose? — synthetic overview.
• Natural refrigerants: R-290, R-744 and ammonia — what stays outside F-gas scope.
• Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on eur-lex.europa.eu (opent in nieuw tabblad)
• Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving (Bal) — NL implementation (opent in nieuw tabblad)

Disclaimer: This article is an operational summary of the F-gas regulation. The official text of (EU) 2024/573 takes precedence. Consult eur-lex.europa.eu (opent in nieuw tabblad) for the current texts or consult an F-gas advisor for specific situations.