The UK government has delayed its HFC phase down schedule claiming further work is necessary prior to any more reductions.
The decision follows a recent consultation with industry and creates an uncertain future for the UK HVACR industry.
The proposed step down to be introduced on 1 January, 2027, is currently on hold.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) held consultations with industry late last year seeking to make changes to the schedule.
DEFRA proposed adjusting the existing schedule from 2027 and adding further steps from 2030 until 2050.
DEFRA received 137 consultation responses, and has concluded that further work is required on changes to the HFC phasedown in Great Britain.
“To give industry clarity ahead of 2027, we confirm that we will not legislate in 2026 to change the phase down steps from 1 January 2027,” DEFRA said in a statement.
“We remain committed to introducing ambitious reform to the HFC phase down. We intend to publish a report summarising responses and an outline of next steps later this year.”