ODS and F-gas inventory for licensed sites 

The EPA is conducting a survey of the use and management of ODS and F-gases at licensed sites in 2021. A circular letter was sent to the operators of licensed facilities on 5 March 2021 which described the survey and set a deadline for responses on 16 April 2021. 

The purpose of this survey 

The purpose of this survey is to clarify the extent of use of fluorinated greenhouse gas (F-gas) and Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) across Industrial Emissions (IE), Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) and Waste licensed sites. 

This includes establishing the list of equipment at licenced sites that contains F-gas or ODS gas and assessing compliance with the following Regulations: 

  1. The EU-F-Gas Regulation: Regulation (EU) No. 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases. The European Union (Fluorinated Greenhouse Gas) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 658 of 2016), supports the implementation of Regulation (EU) 517/2014. 
  2. The ODS Regulation: Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer.  The ODS Regulation was given further effect in Ireland by the Control of Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 465 of 2011). 

The inventory is intended to provide a summary of all the equipment on licensed sites that contain F-gases.  It can be used as a means of tracking equipment and collating relevant information in relation to both Regulations.  

This survey provides a framework for licensees to develop their own site inventory, to review ODS & F-gas operations on-site and to assess their compliance with the Regulations. 

What will the results be used for? 

The circular letter of 5 March 2021 set out our objectives for the survey: 

The results of this survey are intended to establish the status of compliance with the ODS & F-Gas Regulations at licensed sites. In particular, the inventory is to provide: 

  • an understanding of how widespread the use of ODS and F-gases is across licensed activities; 
  • an understanding of the type of equipment containing F-gas and ODS, and the quantities and types of F-gas and ODS used in this equipment, at licensed sites; 
  • an indication of general awareness of the Regulations at licensed sites and of compliance levels, particularly in relation to leak-checking;
  • information on the current rollout of alternative refrigerants at licensed sites: the EU F-Gas Regulation requires a “phase down”, or progressive reduction, of HFCs placed on the EU market and a move towards the use of alternative gases with lower Global Warming Potential. 
    • Specifically, the Regulation stipulates a stepwise decrease in HFC use of 79% by 2030 (compared to 2015 levels) through a quota system which is operated by the European Commission.  This information will give us an indication of Ireland’s progress so far. 

The survey will also allow us to deliver more effective enforcement of ODS and F-gas regulatory requirements at licensed sites, which will contribute to Ireland meeting our emissions reduction targets. 

Outcome 

The deadline for completion of survey returns was 16 April 2021.  The responses received are currently being analysed and a national inventory is being created.  

Some follow-up contact with licensees is planned to validate the information that has been submitted. 

The EPA will use the inventory to further refine our compliance assessment and enforcement programme to assist operators in managing their ODS and F-gas use.

Learn more

View inventory documents

  • Inventory excel spreadsheet  
  • Guidance on filling out the inventory
  • Circular letter to licensees dated 5 March 2021
  • FAQ