Cross-border and multi-agency cooperation to ensure the respect of quota restrictions in the European Union. Between 20 and 25 September 2021, Europol supported a Joint Inspection Week targeting the trafficking of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). Led by the Netherlands, the actions involved 16 countries as well as the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Conducted within the framework of EMPACT, the inspections focused on the identification of possible illicit imports of F-gases into the European Union, the detection on illicit F-gases placed on the EU market, and their importers. The systematic exchange of operational information and intelligence information between law enforcement authorities, customs and surveillance market authorities enabled the identification of hotspots and targets.
The Joint Inspection Week led to:
- 1 682 inspections;
- 706 administrative infringements detected;
- 28 criminal infringements detected;
- 7 arrests;
- Seizures of 2 105 cylinders or the equivalent of 142 288 tonnes of CO2 with an estimated value of more than € 10 million.
Increased cooperation to ensure the respect of F-gas trade quotas
Despite the harmful effects of F-gases on the environment, these synthetic refrigerants are used without respecting specific measures aimed at reducing their impact on the atmosphere. Their import and use are strictly regulated at EU level and international agreements aim to gradually reduce their production and consumption. EU F-gas regulation from 2014 includes steps to progressively phase out consumption and production by 79% by 2030, with the objective of moving towards more climate-friendly technology and the use of natural alternatives.
The regulation and quota implementation of these imports has triggered an increase in the illegal trade of F-gases. Law enforcement agencies, customs authorities and F-gas inspectorates have intensified their efforts to target this developing illicit trade.
Europol facilitated the information exchange, coordinated operational activities and provided analytical support. Europol will further analyse the information gathered during the inspections to support countries in follow-up investigations and provide them with more intelligence on the criminal landscape of this illegal trade within the European Union.
*Participating countries:
Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain
