In short: Northern Ireland follows the EU F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573, not the rules used in England, Scotland and Wales. If your system holds 5 tonnes CO2e of refrigerant or more, it needs regular leak checks, and you must keep the records for at least 5 years.
Why NI is different from GB
Under the Windsor Framework, the EU F-Gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573 applies directly in Northern Ireland. It came into operation on 11 March 2024. Great Britain runs its own, separate F-Gas regime. So guidance written for GB businesses may not be right for you.
Does my system need leak checks?
It depends on how much refrigerant the system holds, measured in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (t CO2e). That's the refrigerant charge in kg multiplied by its global warming potential (GWP), divided by 1,000.
| Refrigerant charge | Leak check every | With leak detection fitted |
|---|---|---|
| 5 t CO2e or more | 12 months | 24 months |
| 50 t CO2e or more | 6 months | 12 months |
| 500 t CO2e or more | 3 months | 6 months |
After a leak is repaired, the system must be checked again within one month. Some hermetically sealed equipment has different thresholds. Ask us if you're not sure.
Example: R404A has a GWP of 3,922. A system holding 10 kg of R404A is 39.2 t CO2e, so it needs a leak check at least every 12 months.
The R404A servicing ban
Since 1 January 2025, new (virgin) fluorinated gases with a GWP of 2,500 or more can't be used to service or maintain refrigeration equipment with a charge of 40 t CO2e or more. That covers R404A and R507A. For R404A, 40 t CO2e is about 10.2 kg.
Reclaimed or recycled refrigerant can be used for a limited time. Ask us which dates apply to your system. If you run a large R404A system, now is the time to plan a retrofit or replacement.
Who is responsible?
The operator of the equipment, usually the business that owns or controls it, is responsible for making sure leak checks happen and records are kept for at least 5 years. The work must be done by a certified company and certified engineers.
How to check your contractor
Companies working on stationary refrigeration and air conditioning need an F-Gas company certificate. In the UK these are issued by bodies such as REFCOM, F-Gas Register (Quidos) and Bureau Veritas. Ask to see the certificate number.
Weir Refrigeration Services LTD is an F-Gas certified company (REFCOM, certificate no. REF1025094).
Working in Great Britain
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) has its own F-Gas regime, based on the earlier EU rules, and it now differs from the rules in Northern Ireland. We work UK-wide, so we follow whichever rules apply to your site.
How we help
- Work out your systems' CO2e charges and check frequencies
- Carry out and record leak checks, and repair leaks
- Advise on R404A and other high-GWP refrigerants
- Keep your F-Gas records up to date
This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Last reviewed: October 2026. Sources: DAERA guidance on fluorinated greenhouse gases; Regulation (EU) 2024/573.