Correction of fluorinated gas certificates 2026: what changes for refrigeration and air conditioning companies

Key data

If your company operates with greenhouse gas fluorinated gases in refrigeration equipment, air conditioning or refrigerated transport, this regulation does not require you to do anything new. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2214, published on October 6, 2026, is limited to correcting errors in certain language versions of Regulation (EU) 2024/2215, which is the regulation that sets the minimum certification requirements for those who handle these gases.

That said, the correction is a sign that the European Commission maintains active oversight of this regulation. Companies in the sector should take this opportunity to verify that their compliance situation is correct, especially with regard to the certification of their technicians and the recognition of certificates issued in other EU countries.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation (EU) 2026/2214 corrects formal errors detected in certain language versions of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2215. That original regulation establishes the minimum requirements for the issuance of certificates to natural and legal persons working with greenhouse gas fluorinated gases in the following types of equipment:

• Fixed refrigeration appliances
• Fixed air conditioning appliances
• Fixed heat pumps
• Fixed organic fluid Rankine cycles
• Refrigeration units for refrigerated trucks
• Refrigeration units for refrigerated trailers
• Refrigeration units for refrigerated light vehicles
• Intermodal containers
• Railway wagons with fluorinated gases or their alternatives

The corrections introduced by Regulation 2026/2214 are exclusively formal: they affect drafting or translation errors in some language versions of the text, but do not modify any obligation, technical requirement or compliance deadline already established.

Economic and operational impact

Since the corrections are purely formal, there is no direct economic impact from this regulation. No new fees, penalties, additional requirements or changes in certification costs are introduced.

However, the regulatory context in which it is framed does have real economic consequences for the sector. Regulation (EU) 2024/2215, which is the substantive regulation, requires that both natural persons (technicians) and legal persons (installing and maintenance companies) have the corresponding certificates to operate legally with fluorinated gases. Operating without valid certification exposes the company to administrative penalties in accordance with the regulations of each Member State.

Mutual recognition of certificates between EU countries is a relevant operational element for companies operating in several European markets or hiring technicians trained in other countries: this mechanism remains fully in force and is not affected by the correction.

Who does it affect?

• Companies installing and maintaining fixed refrigeration equipment (cold storage chambers, industrial and commercial installations)
• Air conditioning and air conditioning companies that use fluorinated gases in their equipment
• Installers and maintainers of fixed heat pumps
• Companies in the refrigerated transport sector: operators of trucks, trailers, refrigerated light vehicles, intermodal containers and railway wagons
• Individual technicians (natural persons) who handle fluorinated gases and need individual certification
• Companies operating in several EU countries that benefit from mutual recognition of certificates
• Training and certification centers that issue or manage sector certificates

Practical example

A maintenance company for refrigeration installations in Spain has three technicians certified in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/2215 to work with fluorinated gases in industrial cold storage chambers. One of these technicians obtained his certificate in Portugal and operates in Spain under the mutual recognition between Member States.

With the publication of Regulation (EU) 2026/2214, nothing changes for this company: the three certificates remain valid, the mutual recognition of the Portuguese technician remains in force, and there is no additional procedure to perform. The only recommended action is to verify that the certificates are in order and that the company's documentation correctly reflects the updated version of the reference regulation, in case there is any administrative inspection.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify that your technicians' certificates are current in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/2215. This correction does not change anything, but it is a good time to conduct an internal audit.
2. Check the validity of mutual recognition if you have technicians certified in other EU countries operating in Spain. The mechanism remains in force, but it is advisable to have updated documentation.
3. Update internal regulatory references if your company has procedures or documentation that cite Regulation (EU) 2024/2215: make sure to reference the corrected version when relevant.
4. Inform your legal advisor or compliance officer that this correction does not generate new obligations, to avoid unnecessary alarms in the team.
5. Stay alert to future substantive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (base regulation) or Regulation (EU) 2024/2215, which could imply changes in requirements or deadlines.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX:32026R2214