EFCTC launches illegal refrigerant reporting hotline

A new website, established by the refrigerant producers group EFCTC, will allow easy and confidential reporting of illegal refrigerant imports and sales activity in Europe. 

The HFC phase down, which led to price increases and availability issues 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.

These illegal sales are having a disruptive effect on the market, not to mention a serious environmental impact, but many concerned individuals are unclear who to report such activity to.

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.

Through the EQS Integrity Line, the EFCTC intends to provide the authorities in the particular member state with the evidence they need.

The Integrity Line is seeking information regarding incidents relating to smuggling, mislabelling, counterfeiting of F-gas products, and 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 Integrity Line can be accessed here.

22-03-2019