Commissioner Vows to Enforce Europe’s Refrigerant Rule

The European Union's industry commissioner insists that carmakers face immediate fines if they fail to comply with the new "green" refrigerant rule that took effect on Jan. 1, Reuters reports.

The declaration by Antonio Tajani is a direct challenge to Daimler AG, which says it will continue to use the industry's previous standard fluid, R134a, because of safety concerns over the only replacement material currently available.

Daimler sent a letter to the EU earlier this month asking for a delay and suggesting alternative strategies. But Tajani insists "there is no extension." Regulators have been reluctant to change the rule because the new HFO-1234yf fluid has successfully passed numerous independent evaluations over the past three years, including tests by 13 carmakers.

The directive bans noncompliant vehicles from being registered or marketed anywhere in the European Union. Each EU member nation is responsible for resolving any issues of noncompliance directly with the local carmaker.

Daimler announced last autumn that its tests showed the new HFO-1234yf refrigerant could ignite in a crash and form poisonous fumes. The liquid was co-developed by DuPont and Honeywell, who insist the material is safe.

The EU wants to eliminate the use of R134a entirely by 2017. The new fluid is attractive because it works in existing A/C architectures and has a global warming potential rating of only 4. R134a has a GWP of 1,430.

The EU rule permits other fluids with a GWP below 150, but no other replacement refrigerant is ready for use. Last week Volkswagen AG, which also says it is wary of 1234yf, announced plans to develop a carbon dioxide-based A/C system. VW has not indicated when the technology would be ready for production.