Czechia: refrigerant rules – Act 73/2012 Sb., certification and the 2026 amendment

The EU regulation applies directly, the Czech act complements it

The EU regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases applies directly in Czechia ^[1]. The requirements for leak checks, records, recovery and the EU bans on new products and servicing come from there.

The national basis is zákon č. 73/2012 Sb., o látkách, které poškozují ozonovou vrstvu, a o fluorovaných skleníkových plynech (Act on substances that deplete the ozone layer and on fluorinated greenhouse gases) ^[3]. It was last amended by zákon č. 60/2023 Sb., which entered into force on 23 March 2023 ^[4]. The details are set out in vyhláška č. 243/2023 Sb. (implementing decree), including procedures for handling refrigerants and for leak checks of refrigeration circuits ^[5].

The competent authority is the Ministerstvo životního prostředí (MŽP) (Ministry of the Environment). The MŽP designates the certification bodies and receives the reports ^[6][7].

Leak checks under the EU regulation

Leak checks are required for systems with 5 tonnes CO2e or more, and for hermetically sealed systems from 10 tonnes CO2e ^[1]. The intervals are ^[1]:

After a leak has been repaired, the system must be checked again to make sure the repair is effective: at the earliest after 24 hours of operation and no later than one month after the repair ^[1]. The operator must keep records of the charge, top-ups, leak checks and actions taken ^[1]. In Czechia, vyhláška 243/2023 Sb. describes how leak checks of refrigeration circuits are to be carried out ^[5].

The 5 tonnes CO2e limit corresponds, for example, to about 1.3 kg R404A, 2.4 kg R410A, 3.5 kg R134a and 7.4 kg R32. Always calculate with the actual refrigerant and charge of the system, for example with the GWP calculator.

Ban on disposable cylinders

The EU bans placing disposable F-gas containers on the market ^[1]. Czechia goes further. Amendment 60/2023 Sb. inserted § 4a into Act 73/2012 Sb.: it is prohibited to use, sell, transfer free of charge, exchange or store disposable containers for fluorinated greenhouse gases. A breach is an offence for legal persons and businesses ^[4].

Certification of persons and companies

Anyone who installs, services, repairs, recovers or leak-checks equipment containing F-gases needs a certificate under (EU) 2024/573 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2215 ^[1][2]. The regulation introduces new categories, including A1 and A2 for stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps, and also covers alternative refrigerants such as hydrocarbons ^[2].

• Who issues: since 24 March 2024 only a hodnotící a certifikační subjekt (evaluation and certification body) designated by the MŽP. The MŽP no longer issues certificates for refrigeration and heat pumps ^[6].
• How to get it: by passing a theory and a practical exam at the body. The bodies publish exam conditions and available dates on their own websites ^[6].
• Validity: certificates are issued without an expiry date, but holders must attend refresher training or retake the exam at least every seven years, the first time by 12 March 2029 ^[1][6].
• Register: the MŽP keeps a public database of certified persons and companies, with certificate number and scope ^[6].

Reporting in ISPOP

Reports under § 11 of Act 73/2012 Sb. are submitted electronically to the MŽP via ISPOP (Integrovaný systém plnění ohlašovacích povinností, integrated system for reporting obligations), by 31 March of the following year ^[3][7]. The obligation applies, among others, to anyone who recovers, recycles, reclaims or destroys refrigerants, and to anyone who brings larger quantities of F-gas in from or sends it to other EU countries. The form is called F_OVZ_RL ^[7].

Changes 2023–2026

• 23 March 2023: amendment 60/2023 Sb. entered into force, with the ban on any handling of disposable containers ^[4].
• 23 August 2023: vyhláška 243/2023 Sb. entered into force and replaced the previous implementing decree ^[5].
• 11 March 2024: the EU regulation 2024/573 entered into force ^[1].
• 24 March 2024: the MŽP stopped issuing certificates for refrigeration and heat pumps. Only designated bodies issue them ^[6].
• 14 October 2026: the Chamber of Deputies passed an amendment to Act 73/2012 Sb. aligning it with the new EU regulations on F-gases and ozone-depleting substances. Among other things it concerns air conditioning and heat pumps, doubles the maximum fines to CZK 5 million and widens the range of conduct that can be penalised. The Senate is to deal with the bill next ^[8].

Practical checklist

1. Check that every technician holds a valid certificate from a designated body, and plan the refresher training before 12 March 2029 ^[1][6].
2. Keep no disposable F-gas cylinders in stock or in the service van ^[4].
3. Convert the charge to tonnes CO2e and add the leak checks to the service plan. Check again within one month after every leak repair ^[1].
4. Follow the procedures in vyhláška 243/2023 Sb. for leak checks and recovery from refrigeration circuits ^[5].
5. Submit the annual report in ISPOP by 31 March if the company is covered by § 11 ^[7].
6. Follow how the 2026 amendment is handled in the Senate ^[8].