Since January 1, 2025, Europe has banned the use of new refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 2500 or more, such as R404A and R507. Only reclaimed versions of these gases are allowed for servicing equipment. However, many companies are illegally selling new or contaminated R404A and R507, falsely labeling them as reclaimed or as legal alternatives like R449A or R448A.

In Poland, the PROZON Foundation has warned that these high GWP refrigerants are appearing on the market as reclaimed materials that have not been properly processed and do not meet quality standards. Similarly, in Spain, the AEFYT reports a significant increase in R404A and R507 being sold under false names at very low prices. These counterfeit refrigerants can cause serious problems in cooling systems, including failures, reduced efficiency, and compressor damage.​

Alex Borri, COO of Italian refrigerant supplier General Gas, stated that the market is being “flooded” with illegal R404A and R507 disguised as R448A, R449A, and R452A. His company found a cylinder labeled as R449A that actually contained R507A mixed with about 6% of R410A. Borri expressed frustration over the lack of enforcement, saying, “No one checks, no one verifies, no one is punished.”

The AEFYT warns that using these illegal refrigerants not only harms the environment but also risks heavy fines, legal liability, equipment damage, and additional costs for destroying counterfeit products. They recommend purchasing refrigerants only from trusted suppliers, being cautious of unusually low prices, and ensuring that products are properly certified and labeled in compliance with current regulations.​

This info and image was sourced from The Cooling Post page.