Fluorinated greenhouse gases have a much higher global warming potential that CO2 (the global warming potential is calculated according to the warming potential of a given gas over a period of a hundred years in comparison to a kilogram of CO2).

‘global warming potential’ means the climatic warming potential of a fluorinated greenhouse gas relative to that of carbon dioxide.

redefinition of the objective of the regulation: to contain, prevent and thereby reduce emissions of the fluorinated greenhouse gases; introduction of the definition of "stationary application or equipment"; for containment purposes, inclusion of the circuits of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment into the list of stationary applications; replacement of the word "inspections" by the word "checks" (article 3); for the producer reporting purposes, the addition of two categories of applications to be identified : solvents and fire protection; operators of the applications containing 3 kg or more shall maintain records of the relevant information specifically identifying the separate ...[+++] stationary equipment; labels should indicate that the product or equipment contains FGG covered by the Kyoto protocol and their quantity, while instruction manuals should provide more information on the FGG contained in those products and equipment, including on their global warming potential; placing on the market prohibition: stricter national measures adopted by 31 December 2005 may be maintained until 31 December 2012, subject to notification to the Commission, together with justification, and compatibility with the Treaty; the procedures set out in the Treaty would apply to the introduction of any new stricter national measures; a new item to be subject to review: the need for further action by the European Community and its Member States in the light of existing and new international commitments regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; introduction of a date – 31 December 2008 – for the Commission to present, if appropriate, legislative proposals relating to air conditioning and refrigeration systems reviewing this regulation; promotion of alternatives: Member States may promote the placing on the market of equipment which use alternatives to gases with a high global warming potential and which are efficient, innovative and further reduce the ...

The consequences of the greenhouse effect The warming of the earth as a result of the build-up of the greenhouse gases could have the following results : - heating and therefore expanding ocean water - melting of mountain glaciers and large ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica - a possible (but unlikely) surge of a major portion of the Antarctic ice sheet into the ocean - a rise in sea levels of 30cm-150cm by the year 2050.

If greenhouse warming is true, the climate is going to continue to get warmer and get colder in a natural way, but when it is getting warmer the warming will be reinforced by the artificial changes which are occurring, the greenhouse effect, and when it is getting cooler the cooling will be reduced by the artificial warming which is occurring.

They break down the ozone layer which protects the earth from damaging radiation, but at the same time they are a major component of the greenhouse gases which are expected to lead to global warming. The Commission sees the need for a virtual elimination of cfc use by the end of the century and will be looking for first reactions to its recent communication on the greenhouse effect.