New EU legislation is tightening the rules on refrigerants used in industrial cooling. The F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 introduces strict GWP limits from 2027, turning the refrigerant inside a cooling unit or chiller into a compliance question, not just a technical spec.
New EU legislation is tightening the rules on refrigerants used in industrial cooling. The F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 introduces strict GWP limits from 2027, turning the refrigerant inside a cooling unit or chiller into a compliance question, not just a technical spec.
What the F-Gas Regulation Actually Changes
From 1 January 2027, the F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 restricts refrigerants in enclosure cooling units and chillers up to 12 kW cooling capacity to a Global Warming Potential (GWP) below 150. New chillers above 12 kW are limited to a GWP below 750. From 2032 onward, fluorinated refrigerants are banned outright in this equipment class. Similar pressure is building outside the EU too: US regulation already caps GWP at 700 for comparable cooling equipment from 2025.
For panel builders, machine manufacturers and system integrators, this means the refrigerant choice behind an enclosure cooling unit now directly affects whether a machine can legally be placed on the EU market after 2027.
Rittal's Refrigerant Transition: From R-513A to R-1234yf
Rittal moved early. In 2024, its full range of cooling units and chillers was switched to R-513A (GWP 631). Now, in a second step during 2026, the Blue e+ cooling unit range is transitioning to R-1234yf, with a GWP of just 0.5, well within the 2032 threshold. The Blue e+ chiller range follows in the same year.
| Refrigerant | GWP |
|---|---|
| CFC (general) | > 12,000 |
| R-134a | 1,430 |
| R-513A | 631 |
| Methane (CH₄) | 28 |
| CO₂ | 1 |
| R-1234yf | 0.5 |
| Propane | 0.02 |
The lower the GWP, the more the refrigerant tends toward flammability, which is why R-1234yf falls under safety class A2L (mildly flammable). Rittal's own risk assessment, backed by UL and IEC certification and years of use in the Japanese market since 2018, classifies the units as low-risk. Automotive-sector testing on R-1234yf shows no meaningful increase in accident risk compared with R-134a, despite the higher flammability classification on paper.
No Redesign Required
The practical benefit for machine builders is compatibility: Rittal has kept performance data, dimensions and enclosure cut-outs consistent across the refrigerant transition, so switching to a compliant unit typically doesn't require re-engineering the panel. For special cases where site safety requirements rule out A2L refrigerants, Blue e+ units with R-513A (GWP 631) remain available.
What This Means for Greek Machine Builders and Integrators
As an EU Regulation rather than a Directive, F-Gas 2024/573 applies directly in Greece without national transposition — there's no separate Greek law to wait for. That matters for Greek panel builders and OEMs exporting equipment into other EU markets, or into the US, where GWP limits are tightening on a similar timeline. Specifying compliant cooling now avoids a redesign cycle later, and keeps export-facing equipment eligible across markets with different but converging refrigerant rules.
FAQ
What is the F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573?
It's the EU's revised law on fluorinated greenhouse gases, in force since March 2024, that sets GWP limits and market bans for refrigerants used in cooling and air conditioning equipment, including enclosure cooling units and chillers.
When do the new GWP limits take effect?
From 1 January 2027, cooling units and chillers up to 12 kW must use refrigerants with a GWP below 150. Chillers above 12 kW are limited to GWP below 750.
Can I keep using my existing cooling units after 2027?
Yes. The regulation applies to new equipment placed on the market. Existing systems using R134a, R410a or R-513A can continue to operate and be serviced until 2032.
What refrigerant is Rittal switching to, and why?
Rittal is moving its Blue e+ cooling units and chillers to R-1234yf, which has a GWP of 0.5, well below the 2027 and 2032 thresholds, while keeping unit dimensions and machining unchanged.
Is R-1234yf safe to use, given it's flammable?
R-1234yf is classified A2L (mildly flammable) and ignites only above 400°C. Rittal's risk assessment, UL/IEC certification, and years of use in Japan since 2018 support a low-risk classification for enclosure cooling applications.
Do I need to redesign my panel to switch refrigerants?
In most cases, no. Rittal has aligned performance data, dimensions and cut-outs across the refrigerant transition so machine builders can switch without modifying the enclosure design.
Does the F-Gas Regulation apply directly in Greece?
Yes. As an EU Regulation, it applies directly in all member states, including Greece, without the need for separate national legislation.
Where can I find more technical detail on compliant refrigerant options?
Rittal's refrigerant switchover page and F-Gas position paper cover the regulatory background, product transition timeline and technical specifications in more detail.