The latest EU F-Gas regulations are changing the way commercial refrigeration equipment is manufactured, sold and serviced.

Businesses purchasing commercial fridges, freezers, bottle coolers, refrigerated display cabinets and other refrigeration equipment are increasingly seeing modern alternatives to traditional high-GWP refrigerants.

The aim of the new regulations is to reduce the use of ﬂuorinated greenhouse gases with a high

environmental impact and encourage the transition towards lower-GWP refrigerants.

This guide explains what the latest F-Gas regulations mean for commercial refrigeration, which refrigerants are affected and what businesses should consider when purchasing new refrigeration equipment.

What Are F-Gas Regulations?

F-Gases, or ﬂuorinated greenhouse gases, are commonly used as refrigerants in commercial refrigeration, air conditioning and other cooling systems.

Some F-Gases have a high Global Warming Potential (GWP). If released into the atmosphere through leaks or improper handling, these gases can have a signiﬁcant impact on climate change.

The EU's F-Gas Regulation is designed to gradually reduce the use of high-GWP refrigerants and encourage the use of more environmentally friendly alternatives.

For businesses buying commercial refrigeration equipment, the refrigerant inside the unit is now becoming an increasingly important factor when choosing a new fridge, freezer or refrigerated display.

How Do the New F-Gas Regulations Affect Commercial Refrigeration?

The regulations introduce restrictions on the use of certain refrigerants in new equipment.

These restrictions vary depending on the type of refrigeration equipment, its application and the refrigerant used.

For many types of stand-alone commercial refrigeration equipment, the move away from high-GWP refrigerants is already well underway.

This means that many modern products now use lower-GWP alternatives, including:

R290 (propane)
R600a (isobutane)
R744 (CO₂)

The refrigeration industry is continuing to move towards systems that use refrigerants with a lower environmental impact.

What Is Global Warming Potential (GWP)?

When choosing commercial refrigeration equipment, one of the most important speciﬁcations

to understand is the refrigerant's Global Warming Potential, commonly known as GWP.

GWP measures the potential impact of a greenhouse gas compared with carbon dioxide.

Generally, the higher the GWP of a refrigerant, the greater its potential environmental impact if released into the atmosphere.

As F-Gas regulations continue to restrict high-GWP refrigerants, businesses should consider the refrigerant used in their refrigeration equipment alongside other important factors such as:

Storage capacity
Energy efficiency
Temperature range
Dimensions
Purchase price
Running costs
Future servicing requirements

Which Refrigerants Are Replacing High-GWP F-Gases?

R290 Refrigeration Equipment

R290, also known as propane, is becoming increasingly common in commercial refrigeration equipment.

R290 has a very low GWP and is used in a wide range of modern commercial refrigeration products.

You may ﬁnd R290 used in:

Commercial upright fridges
Commercial freezers
Bottle coolers
Back bar refrigeration
Refrigerated display cabinets
Multideck displays
Counter refrigeration

R290 refrigeration equipment is becoming an increasingly popular option for businesses looking for modern, lower-GWP refrigeration solutions.

CO₂ Refrigeration Systems

CO₂, also known as R744, is commonly used in larger commercial refrigeration systems.

CO₂ refrigeration systems are particularly common in larger applications, including:

Supermarkets
Large retail stores
Centralised refrigeration systems
Larger cold storage applications

CO₂ has a very low GWP compared with many traditional synthetic refrigerants and is an

important part of the transition towards lower-impact commercial refrigeration.

R600a Refrigeration Equipment

R600a, also known as isobutane, is another low-GWP refrigerant used in certain refrigeration applications.

It is particularly common in smaller, self-contained refrigeration equipment.

What Do the F-Gas Regulations Mean When Buying New Commercial Refrigeration?

When purchasing a new commercial fridge, freezer, bottle cooler or refrigerated display cabinet, it is worth checking which refrigerant the unit uses.

The refrigerant should be considered alongside the equipment's capacity, dimensions,

temperature range and energy efficiency.

Before purchasing new commercial refrigeration equipment, consider:

1. Which Refrigerant Does the Unit Use?

Check the product speciﬁcation to identify the refrigerant used.

Modern equipment may use lower-GWP refrigerants such as R290, R600a or CO₂.

2. What Is the Refrigerant's GWP?

Understanding the GWP of the refrigerant can help you make a more informed long-term purchasing decision.

3. Is the Equipment Suitable for Future Regulations?

F-Gas regulations are continuing to change the refrigeration industry.

Choosing modern equipment that uses a lower-GWP refrigerant can help businesses prepare for the future and reduce their reliance on refrigerants that may become increasingly restricted.

4. Consider Future Servicing and Maintenance

The availability and cost of refrigerants can affect the long-term cost of maintaining commercial refrigeration equipment.

For businesses operating equipment for many years, the refrigerant used can be an important factor when considering future servicing and maintenance requirements.

Do You Need to Replace Existing Commercial Refrigeration Equipment?

The introduction of new F-Gas regulations does not automatically mean that existing commercial refrigeration equipment must be replaced.

Many businesses can continue to operate existing equipment.

However, owners of older systems using high-GWP refrigerants should consider the potential long-term impact of changing regulations.

Over time, businesses may experience:

Higher refrigerant costs
Reduced availability of certain refrigerants
Increased repair costs
Greater difficulty sourcing refrigerant for older equipment
Higher long-term maintenance costs

If an existing refrigeration unit is approaching the end of its working life, replacing it with modern, lower-GWP refrigeration equipment may be worth considering.

What Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Is Affected?

F-Gas regulations can affect a wide range of commercial refrigeration equipment.

Businesses purchasing or operating the following equipment should understand which refrigerant is used:

Commercial fridges
Commercial freezers
Upright refrigerators
Bottle coolers
Back bar fridges
Refrigerated display cabinets
Multideck display fridges
Deli counters
Serve-over counters
Cold rooms
Walk-in fridges
Walk-in freezers
Condensing units
Supermarket refrigeration systems

The exact requirements can depend on the type of equipment and refrigeration system.

How to Choose Future-Ready Commercial Refrigeration

Choosing the right commercial refrigeration equipment is about more than simply ﬁnding the

correct size or capacity. Businesses should consider:

Energy Efficiency

Efficient refrigeration equipment can help reduce energy consumption and long-term running costs.

Refrigerant Type

The type of refrigerant used can affect the environmental impact and future suitability of the

equipment.

Capacity

Choose equipment that provides sufficient storage capacity for your business without

unnecessarily increasing energy use.

Application

Different types of refrigeration are designed for different applications.

For example, a bottle cooler, refrigerated display cabinet, commercial upright fridge and cold

room all have different operating requirements.

Long-Term Value

The initial purchase price is important, but businesses should also consider energy costs, maintenance requirements and the expected lifespan of the equipment.

Stop and Check Before Buying New Refrigeration Equipment

Before purchasing new commercial refrigeration equipment, check:

Which refrigerant does the unit use?
What is the GWP of the refrigerant?
Is the equipment suitable for your application?
What temperature range does the equipment operate at?
Is the capacity suitable for your business?
What are the expected energy and running costs?
Will the equipment meet your long-term refrigeration requirements?

For larger or more complex refrigeration installations, such as cold rooms or centralised systems, professional advice may be required before choosing a refrigeration system.

The Future of Commercial Refrigeration

The commercial refrigeration industry is moving towards equipment that uses lower-GWP refrigerants.

R290, CO₂ and other climate-friendly alternatives are becoming increasingly important across commercial refrigeration.

For businesses purchasing new equipment, the refrigerant used inside a commercial fridge or

freezer should now be considered alongside capacity, energy efficiency and price.

Choosing modern commercial refrigeration equipment with a lower-GWP refrigerant can help businesses reduce environmental impact while preparing for changing F-Gas regulations.

At Katerbay, we supply a wide range of commercial refrigeration equipment for restaurants, cafés, bars, supermarkets, convenience stores and other foodservice businesses.

When choosing your next commercial fridge, freezer, bottle cooler or refrigerated display cabinet, check the product speciﬁcations carefully and consider the refrigerant used as part of your purchasing decision.

Shop Commercial Refrigeration at Katerbay

Explore Katerbay's range of commercial refrigeration equipment, including:

Choosing the right refrigeration equipment can help your business improve efficiency, protect

stock and prepare for the future of commercial refrigeration.

Sources and further information

European Commission — Climate-friendly alternatives to F-gases: Refrigeration. European Commission F-Gas refrigeration guidance
Atlas Copco Ireland — F-Gas regulations and Atlas Copco F-Gas regulations guide

New F-Gas Regulations for Commercial Refrigeration: What Businesses Need to Know