ESG and commercial refrigeration - the challenges facing the sector; from regulations to technological innovation and new skills

Hendaye, September 7, 2026

Commercial refrigeration is undergoing an unprecedented transformation due to new European regulations. The sector is now being challenged to rethink the design, production, operation, and management of HVAC&R technologies throughout their lifecycle.

After the implementation of the new F-Gas Regulation 2024/573, various pivotal laws and regulatory frameworks are reshaping the European industrial landscape. These include the ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation), which strengthens sustainability, reparability and recyclability requirements; the upcoming Circular Economy Act, designed to strengthen the internal market for secondary raw materials; and the Critical Raw Materials Act, which aims to ensure the supply of critical raw materials within the European Union. Simultaneously, one of the most sensitive issues remains the impending European regulation on PFAS – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ because of their persistence in the environment and in living organisms, including most synthetic HFC and HFO refrigerants. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is currently reviewing this proposal. If adopted, it could further accelerate the transition to fluorine-free technologies and have a lasting impact on the sector’s industrial choices.

Against this backdrop, commercial refrigeration industry is at the forefront of Europe’s green transition. Cécile Marty, Epta’s Trade Marketing Manager, sheds light on the challenges ahead and the initiatives being rolled out by the Group. 

In an increasingly transparent regulatory environment, how are these regulations being enforced? And why is it strategic to define benchmarks for assessing the sustainability of proposed solutions? 

European regulations and environmental declarations are moving towards a system where environmental performance is measurable, verifiable, and comparable throughout the entire product lifecycle. As a result, sustainability is emerging as a genuine driver of competitiveness.

The main challenge today lies in the lack of consensus on global standards and methods for assessing environmental consequences. This has led to disparities in how companies address these issues, hampering the comparability of data and the effectiveness of implemented environmental policies. It is therefore becoming strategically important, including for legislators, to have verifiable and shared criteria so that sustainability can be a truly objective measure of competitiveness.

To address this need, Eurovent, the European association of manufacturers in the HVAC&R industry (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration), has unveiled a regulatory and methodological framework for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sectors. The Group aims at creating a genuine technical standard for the industry that is broadly endorsed and recognised. 

Epta actively engages in discussions with industry and institutional stakeholders. For the Group, regulatory compliance must not be merely a reaction to legislative changes. Rather, it should be a product development policy and a driver of transformation that enables it to anticipate market expectations and contribute to the development of future standards. 

To what extent is the sector involved in ESG initiatives today? 

The discussions on ESG criteria go beyond individual companies to encompass the entire supply chain. Traceability, responsible sourcing, supplier monitoring and the assessment of ESG performance are not just reputational concerns. They are also crucial industrial and financial matters. The financial industry is also a major force behind this trend. Starting in January 2026, the European Banking Authority’s new guidelines have reinforced the inclusion of ESG risks into credit evaluation procedures, praising companies that effectively navigate these challenges.

In this respect, Epta is continuing its partnership with EcoVadis to assess and continuously monitor the ESG performance of its suppliers. This initiative is complemented by sustainable finance initiatives, such as the supply chain financing programme developed with Deutsche Bank, which rewards the top-rated suppliers. 

Sustainability is evolving into a collaborative effort that involves the entire industrial network. 

How is decarbonisation becoming a fundamental force shaping the business landscape? And what role do scientific frameworks play in the strategies of the sector’s most advanced companies? 

Decarbonisation is no longer viewed as a series of one-off measures. It is now directly incorporated into industrial decision-making and investment strategies. In this context, scientific leaders are essential, translating climate pledges into clear and measurable pathways. 

Epta is part of this approach through its membership of the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This international organisation helps companies and financial institutions set targets for decarbonising their operations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their actions are grounded in scientific evidence and aligned with the Paris Agreement’s recommendations, aiming to restrict the rise in the average global temperature to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. The Group is committed to align its climate targets with the pathways of the Paris Agreement, with a first major milestone by 2035 before reaching ‘net zero’ by 2050.

Our Group is taking action on all emissions: direct emissions and those linked to production at our factories (Scope 1), indirect emissions linked to our purchased energy consumption (Scope 2), and finally, emissions generated upstream and downstream throughout the supply chain and during the use of installed solutions (Scope 3). By 2025, Epta had already reduced its Scope 1 emissions (measured in tonnes of CO₂) by 10%. Additionally, they achieved a 38% reduction in Scope 2 emissions compared to 2024, the base year. Epta is targeting an overall 63% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, as well as a recycling rate of 97% for its production waste. 

The shortage of technical skills is often cited as an obstacle to the transition. How much has training become a strategic issue today? 

In our opinion, ecological transition relies, above all, on a new set of skills. Regulations are changing, natural refrigerants are being introduced, digitalisation and the growing use of artificial intelligence in equipment management all require technical staff who are increasingly qualified and well trained. The F-Gas Regulation 2024/573 itself emphasises the need for continuous training to facilitate the adoption of new methods and technologies.

In this context, Epta is investing heavily in skills development, offering upskilling and reskilling programmes, and training the sector’s future professionals. These initiatives are underpinned by partnerships with universities, technical institutes and training organisations worldwide, as well as by its network of training centres on four continents. The recent launch of the EptaService Academy in Romania is a prime example of this approach. This programme, entirely dedicated to the field of service and after-sales support, combines the development of technical skills, operational skills and soft skills. For Epta, prioritising training is essential to successfully navigating the ongoing shift towards environmentally friendly refrigeration technologies.

What do you think will be the real challenge for the commercial refrigeration sector in the next five to ten years? 

In the coming decade, our industry will face a major challenge: the merging of refrigeration, data and artificial intelligence. In the future, retail outlets will be smart, interconnected and data-driven platforms, capable of optimising energy consumption, maintenance, commercial operations and customer experience in real time.

This evolution goes hand in hand with the shift from a product-based approach to a high value-added service model. Value now extends beyond the initial installation, encompassing the ability to ensure optimal performance throughout its lifecycle. By embracing the concept of ‘servitisation’, Epta is transforming its refrigerated display cabinets into comprehensive integrated systems, combining hardware, software, and support services. By collecting and analysing data generated in stores, Epta provides innovative solutions for remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and assistance in making operational decisions. 

In the coming years, competitiveness will be the ability to convert technology into a consistent value generator, and to transform the store into a smart, efficient and interconnected system. Epta is committed to driving this transformation through innovation, service and performance, remaining true to our motto ‘Good Never Stops’, which drives all our strategic decisions.