European Union: Revision of EN378 standard

The European Standard "Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements" has been republished following comprehensive review. The previous version of the standard, EN378:2000, has been withdrawn and replaced by EN378:2008. The main reason for the update was to harmonize the standard with the European Commission's Pressure Directive 97/23/EC. It is to be noted that new definitions were added, particularly reflecting the introduction of cascade and transcritical CO2 systems; the safety classes for toxicity, A and B, and the safety classes for flammability, 1, 2 and 3 have been reintroduced. For more information, consult the Guidance Note 16 of the IOR: www.ior.org.uk