Workplace safety mandatory also for those working with natural refrigerants

European regulations on occupational health and safety continue to apply in full to refrigeration technicians, even when they work with natural refrigerants. This was clarified by the European Commission, addressing a controversial point related to the new regulation on fluorinated gases.

The clarification follows a petition submitted by the Italian company CSIM Srl, which specializes in certification and training in the refrigeration sector. The European executive’s response was made public on March 17, 2026, by the PETI Committee of the European Parliament, within the framework of petition No. 1162/2025.

At the center of the issue was the risk of an overly broad interpretation of F-gas certification under Regulation (EU) 2024/573. In particular, concerns were raised that such certification could be considered sufficient to authorize technicians to work with natural refrigerants such as propane, carbon dioxide, and ammonia, without additional safety requirements.

The European Life Skillsafe project

In a response dated February 20, 2026, the Commission clarified that F-gas certification and safety directives follow separate but complementary paths. The requirements introduced for natural refrigerants take into account specific risks such as flammability, pressure, and toxicity, but in no way replace the obligations set out in workplace safety regulations.

As a result, employers remain responsible for carrying out a full risk assessment and ensuring adequate training for personnel, regardless of environmental certifications held. In this framework, a technician working with ammonia must still hold the authorizations required under national regulations on toxic gases, while companies are required to conduct specific assessments of chemical risks and explosive atmospheres.

The issue is part of the European Life Skillsafe project, which involves, among others, in addition to CSIM Srl, responsible for the risk assessment and will lead WP4, the European Heat Pump Association, Daikin Europe, and the Dutch association NVKL, with the aim of defining shared standards for the skills required to safely manage systems using natural refrigerants.

The guidance emerging from Brussels reinforces an integrated approach to safety, based on the combination of technical requirements, specialist training, and full compliance with applicable regulations.

The industrial, commercial, logistics refrigeration, freezing, and cryogenics sectors will meet at REFRIGERA, the international industry event, taking place at Bologna Exhibition Center from November 10 to 12, 2027.