EFCTC introduces illegal refrigerant reporting “hotline”
19th March 2019
EUROPE: Illegal refrigerant imports and sales activity in Europe can now be easily reported, and in confidence, through a new website established by the refrigerant producers group EFCTC.
The European HFC phase down, which led to huge price increases and some product scarcity last year, has encouraged a considerable black market in refrigerants. Much of this product is being imported outside of the quota system with a large proportion of it in illegal disposable cylinders. Current estimates are that around 20% of sales in the EU are suspected of being outside the phase down quota mechanism.
The illegal sales are having a disruptive effect on the market and a serious environmental impact, but many concerned individuals are unclear who to report such activity to. Few, if any, member states operate a “hotline”, making reporting difficult, and many potential whistleblowers have confidentiality concerns.
The new Integrity Line, operated on EFCTC’s behalf by the EQS Group, promises that anyone will now be able to report suspicious activities easily, in confidence, and anonymously, if desired.
The EQS Integrity Line digital whistleblowing system was established in 2009 and is currently being used by more than 150 companies.
Speaking during a live webinar today, Tim Vink, Honeywell’s director of regulatory affairs, said that several authorities in member states were already aware of the new Integrity Line and were listening. “One of the challenges they face if they want to prosecute is they need to have conclusive evidence and that is always very difficult to get,” he said.
Through the EQS Integrity Line, the EFCTC intends to provide the authorities in the particular member state with the evidence they need.
Information
The Integrity Line is seeking information regarding incidents relating to smuggling, mislabelling, counterfeiting of F-gas products, the use of illegal disposable cylinders or other breaches of the F-gas quota system.
To guarantee a whistleblower’s anonymity, the encrypted data is transmitted via a secure and independent EQS server. All reports via the Integrity Line website will remain anonymous unless the whistleblower wishes to disclose their identity.
Those reporting illegal activity will be contacted if additional information is needed. If it is eventually found that no violation has occurred there will be no consequences for the whistleblower.
The website is currently only in English but there are plans to roll out additional languages over the coming weeks, as well as a voice message service.
The Integrity Line can be accessed here.
Related stories:
Illegal imports equivalent to 20% of quota – 26 January 2019
GERMANY: A group of German refrigeration experts has called for action after revealing that the amount of illegal refrigerant entering Europe last year was equivalent to 20% of the legal F-gas quota. Read more…
Industry call to end illegal F-gas sales – 14 November 2018
BELGIUM: European refrigeration and air conditioning contractors have called for action after a survey reveals that nearly 90% of the industry is aware of the illegal trade in refrigerants. Read more…
End this F-gas farce – 9 September 2018
EUROPE: The supposedly ground-breaking European F-gas regulations have become a farce, with the authorities seemingly unwilling or unable to stem sales of illegal refrigerant. Read more…
Dutch warn on illegal refrigerant – 10 October 2018
NETHERLANDS: Refrigerant businesses in the Netherlands have joined the condemnation of the widespread abuse of the F-gas regulations through “alternative” sales outlets. Read more…
Banned R22 openly sold in disposables – 7 September 2018
POLAND: The Cooling Post has found that illegal ozone-depleting R22 refrigerant is being openly sold in illegal disposable cylinders in Poland under the very noses of the authorities. Read more…
Poland swamped by illegal refrigerant
POLAND: The Cooling Post has found that illegal ozone-depleting R22 refrigerant is being openly sold in illegal disposable cylinders in Poland under the very noses of the authorities. Read more…
Illegal refrigerant costs Greece €20m – 23 July 2018
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Cantas “shock” at illegal imports – 13 July 2018
TURKEY: Istanbul-based refrigerant supplier Cantas has reacted with shock to learn that its refrigerant is being imported into the UK in illegal non-refillable cylinders. Read more…
Government rejects F-gas concerns – 10 July 2018
UK: The UK government insists it will maintain the HFC phase down post-Brexit but has ignored claims that the Environment Agency does not have the adequate resources to tackle compliance. Read more…
UK failing to enforce F-gas regulations – 25 April 2018
UK: The Environmental Audit Committee has expressed concern that the Environment Agency is under-resourced and failing to adequately investigate “large levels of non-compliance” with the F-gas regulations. Read more…
UK a hub for illegal refrigerant sales – 23 March 2018
UK: There are concerns that the UK has become a centre for sales of refrigerant in illegal disposable cylinders, a container which has been banned from use in Europe for over 10 years. Read more…
Phase down sparks rise in illegal sales – 21 March 2018
EUROPE: With the F-gas regulations beginning to bite and higher GWP refrigerants becoming expensive and scarce, evidence of illegal imports and sales is increasing. Read more…
