INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN

FEATURE

• Restriction of high-GWP HFCs: The DFFE will restrict the use of high-GWP HFCs and HFC blends in specific sectors and sub-sectors, particularly where lower- GWP technologies are already available or anticipated in the near future

• Prohibitions on new installations: There will be prohibitions on the manufacture, distribution, sale, installation, import and export of certain restricted HFCs for new systems

• Mandatory low-GWP equipment: The use of only low-GWP refrigerants in new equipment will be enforced for certain applications, such as air conditioning and heat pumps, especially where HFCs are entirely restricted

THE PFAS IMPERATIVE: A CALL FOR CAUTION

Molefi stressed the critical issue of PFASaffected refrigerants, warning the HVAC & R industry to exercise extreme caution as the Stockholm Convention actively phases out these ' Forever Chemicals '. " We cannot ban on the other legislation and allow it on the HFC," she warned, emphasising the need to consider the PFAS content of alternative refrigerants.

" Natural refrigerants( hydrocarbons, CO2, ammonia, water) are abundant and energyefficient, but their flammability and toxicity necessitate urgent investment in workforce training." This involves:

• Qualification, certification and registration: beefing up and upgrading standards related to accreditation by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations( QCTO) for servicing centres

• Qualified technicians: ensuring technicians are adequately trained to work with natural refrigerants across all sectors and for retrofitting existing systems

• System design and safety: focusing on proper system design and incorporating all necessary safety measures

Key aspects include overseeing disposal, facilitating collaborative equipment installation, establishing robust reclamation programmes, and implementing comprehensive life cycle management from leak prevention to destruction.

This holistic approach necessitates an upgrade of waste management legislation to address electronic and electrical waste from refrigeration and air conditioning. Furthermore, Extended Producer Responsibility( EPR) schemes will be put in place to manage the disposal of all HVAC & R waste.

ACCELERATING THE TRANSITION: CALLS FOR COLLABORATION AND DATA

Molefi concluded with a powerful call for industry collaboration and timely data submission. The DFFE aims to develop the HFC Management Regulation for publication for comments soon. Prior to public comment, discussions will be held at the bi-annual HFC stakeholder meeting.

The DFFE is actively collaborating with other key government departments and regulatory bodies like NRCS and SABS to ensure integrated regulation and standards.

Molefi emphasised that improving accessibility to low-GWP alternatives depends heavily on industry participation,

specifically through the submission of questionnaires distributed by the DFFE. Finally, Molefi underscored the DFFE ' s proactive stance against dumping. They are working to expedite regulations to prevent South Africa from becoming a " dumping ground " for phased-out or restricted equipment from other countries, which would disadvantage local industries.

The HVAC & R industry is, in essence, ' going back to square one ' by increasingly returning to natural refrigerants, a full circle from their historical use.

diverse market segments from large

supermarket chains to smaller retail formats.

With market penetration rates climbing

rapidly – 30 % in Europe and 5.8 % in North

America – and applications expanding beyond

traditional refrigeration into heat pumps and

air conditioning, CO2 has moved from niche

technology to mainstream solution.

Axel Schaddach, global sales driver SY system solutions and new business at Danfoss.

At FRIGAIR 2025, Axel Schaddach, global sales driver SY system solutions and new business at Danfoss, presented a vision for‘ Sustainable Cooling’, highlighting Danfoss Climate Solutions ' commitment to decarbonising heating and cooling. His address profiled the company ' s extensive portfolio, self-imposed sustainability targets and the critical global shift towards natural refrigerants.

Danfoss Climate Solutions, a global leader in engineering solutions, boasts a broad portfolio encompassing air conditioning, refrigeration and heating applications. Schaddach emphasised that Danfoss is not merely a component manufacturer; the company actively strives to make its own production and footprint as carbon-neutral as possible, exemplified by the Danfoss Nordborg campus achieving carbon-neutrality in 2022.

Supplied by Danfoss