SPAIN: The Spanish refrigeration association, AEFYT, has warned of the continuing illegal trade in refrigerant, particularly selling banned R404A as legal HFC blend substitutes.
The AEFYT insists that the illegal refrigerant market has continued to expand, and involves all levels of the industry, from small installers to large installers, including distributors who "launder" the illegal market.
A common practice is to sell virgin R404A, banned since 2025, labelled as lower GWP substitutes such as R448A, R449A, and R452A, and offered for sale at suspiciously low prices.
The Spanish Civil Guard's Nature Protection Service, SEPRONA, and customs surveillance have been carrying out inspections and taking samples to analyse these suspect refrigerants.
The AEFYT warns against purchasing these illegal refrigerants and the prospect of significant fines. Spanish tax and customs authorities recently seized 53 tonnes of illegal refrigerant and nearly €1m in cash from two raids.
The association repeats advice to avoid online platforms and only purchase refrigerants from trusted suppliers.
It also lists specific cylinder marks that should be included. Also, refrigerant suppliers must collect them for refilling. If they do not offer future collection of empty containers, it is an indicator of a company operating illegally.