DEFRA has now opened its consultation on reforms to the F-gas Regulation, proposing a steeper phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). On paper, the headline numbers may look modest, a reduction from 24% to 16.2% allocation in 2027. However, the shift is relative to the quota available in 2025. When this is taken into account, the reduction in 2027, which is only just over a year away, represents a nearly 50% decrease compared to where we are now – 16.2% relative to 31%.

This is not a minor tightening of the system; it marks a complete structural shift away from the high-GWP refrigerants still being installed in many new systems today.

The consultation aligns with the government’s long-term sustainability goals, and for retailers, foodservice operators, and convenience operators, the operational and financial implications are significant. Reduced HFC availability will increase pressure to accelerate the transition to lower-GWP refrigeration solutions. That means planning ahead, reviewing the lifecycle of existing equipment, and being realistic about the capital expenditure required to future-proof estates.

At Abbey Design Associates, we are helping businesses navigate this transition through robust design and specification strategies that prioritise long-term efficiency, sustainability, and compliance. Whether through optimising existing systems or developing new low-GWP solutions, the focus must be on engineering resilient and adaptable refrigeration infrastructure that can meet both today’s operational needs and tomorrow’s environmental standards.

For us, it is not about quick fixes or magic bullets; it is about resilience and readiness.

To speak to us at Abbey Design Associates please contact us.

Consultation link (closes 17 December):

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/fluorinated-gases-and-ozone-depleting-substances-policy-team/f-gas-regulation-in-great-britain/