Transition to sulfur hexafluoride-free switchgear in the EU

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A guide for property owners and managers.

Due to recent regulatory changes in the European Union (EU), property owners and managers are seeking to understand and plan for how and when to change their approach to the use of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6 or SF6 gas) in switchgear.

As the world struggles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the electrical industry is faced with the logical question of replacing SF6 in switchgear production. Sulfur hexafluoride is an extremely potent synthetic greenhouse gas that special database persists in the atmosphere for thousands of years, with each kg of SF6 equivalent to 25,200 kg of CO2.

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In this article, we review the latest developments in SF6 legislation, explore important information for property owners and managers, and identify key steps to phase out SF6 in switchgear in Europe.

New regulation on fluorinated gases

After extensive preparation, at the end of 2023, the European Council and Parliament reached a preliminary agreement to ban the use of SF6 in medium-voltage switchgear under a sulfur hexafluoride phase-out program from 2026.

On January 29, 2024, the EU Council approved new rules to phase down the use of fluorinated gases to limit the negative impact on global warming in line with the Paris Agreement.

Details on the implementation of changes to legislation in EU member states are expected to be announced in the near fut