Fluorinated gases or F-gases are man-made gases used as refrigerants in refrigerators, air conditions and heat pumps. Thes gases have high Global Warming Potentials (GWP), some of up to 25000 times higher than CO2, and can persist in the atmosphere for thousands of years. The three main types of F-gases are Perfluorocarbons (PFCs), Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that are commonly used in the cooling industry. Thes gases have been on the list in the Montreal Protocol, of controlled substances, and to steadily reduce their production and consumption with a 'phase-down' schedule.

Replacing F-gases are for example hydrocarbons such as R600a and R290 refrigerants that are environmentally friendly and do not contain chemical agents that emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. R600a and R290 are flammable but their flammability is very well covered by safety standards and with proper handling, hydrocarbons have proven to be a safe and better alternative to the F-gas refrigerants.

The current F-gas regulation that entered into force in 2015 introduces a ban on F-gases with high climate impact and includes a phase-down schedule to gradually reduce the supply of HFCs in the EU by 2030. An assessment conducted that the current regulations have led to significant reduction in the supply of emission of F-gases resulting in additional environmental improvements without having a negative effect on the overall economy. There were, however, some areas where the regulation had performed less well, and it was evaluated that more ambitious action is required, and the regulation needed to undergo multiple adaptations to fully comply with the Montreal protocol.

Therefore, additional options were proposed, one of them being further emission reduction, for example by banning products and equipment containing F-gases with high GWP. These include air conditions, heat pumps, domestic and commercial refrigerators, freezers, and other refrigeration equipment containing these gases. A prohibitions schedule for placing these products on the market has already been set and introduction of penalties proposal in case products were to be placed on the market unlawfully.