F-Gas and R32: what the installer needs to have in order
Published on 12 September 2026 · 6 min read
Certification, charge log, labelling, leak checks, refrigerant recovery: the obligations that come with every air conditioning system installed, in Belgium and in the European Union.
The framework
The European regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gas) governs the handling of refrigerants. In Belgium it is applied by the Regions (Wallonia, Flanders, Brussels), each with its own certification body, but the substantive obligations are the same everywhere in the Union.
Certification of the person and the company
Anyone who installs, commissions, services, repairs or dismantles a refrigerant circuit must hold F-Gas certification. Category I covers all charges; category II is limited to small charges. The company must also be registered or certified depending on the Region. Without certification, neither the manufacturer nor the insurer will back you in the event of a claim.
R32 in practice
R32 has a global warming potential of 675, against 2,088 for R410A. It is classified A2L, mildly flammable: the manual of every appliance gives the maximum permissible charge according to the floor area of the room and the mounting height of the indoor unit. Tools (vacuum pump, leak detector, recovery unit) must be A2L compatible.
Leak checks
The obligation of periodic checks depends on the charge expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent. For R32, the 5 tonne CO2 equivalent threshold corresponds to about 7.4 kg of refrigerant: the vast majority of residential splits are below it and are not subject to mandatory periodic checks. A multi-split or a commercial cabinet unit can exceed this threshold: check the total charge, top-ups included.
Log and labelling
For every piece of equipment subject to leak checks, a log must record the charge, top-ups, recoveries, checks and the identity of the certified technician. The outdoor unit label states the refrigerant type, the factory charge and the GWP; any additional charge must be added to it.
Recovery at end of life
The refrigerant must be recovered with suitable equipment, stored in a recovery cylinder and handed over to an approved collector. Venting to atmosphere is prohibited and penalised.
What we provide
For every Kaisai appliance: the technical sheet with the factory charge, the manual with the maximum charges per room volume, and the energy label. For everything else, your regional certification body remains the reference.