Statement from the Environment Agency

19 Dec 2024

In response to the Institute of Refrigeration's query to the Environment Agency on the issue of cellar cooling being included in an upcoming ban on split air conditioning systems, the Environment Agency has sent us this statement.

"The Environment Agency is in consultation with DEFRA and the European Commission to ascertain the intent and application of the law and policy with respect to the types of equipment you have identified in your email of 12 November 2024 and the prohibition under point 15 Annex III 517/2014.

Until such time that the Environment Agency has concluded those inquiries and ascertained the intent of the policy we confirm that whilst we will enforce the ban in relation to comfort cooling; we will not enforce Point 15 Annex III 517/2014 in relation to single split air conditioning systems which are intended to cool product. Please be aware that we may enforce this Point in future, given the context of the HFC phasedown in Great Britain and that fact that lower GWP alternatives to these systems are available.

We will provide an update in due course."

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