Malta is doing its best to comply with EU rules on fluorinated gases, which have a global-warming effect, but the island is finding it difficult to reach EU standards, according to the government.

Malta remains committed to respecting the EU rules

Under EU rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases, Malta must notify the European Commission of its training and certification requirements for companies that deal with so-called F-gases.

But despite efforts made by the Environment Ministry to establish minimum qualification courses for the sector, this has not yet been possible, the government said.

Fluorinated industrial gases are used in several types of products, such as in refrigeration and air-conditioning. They are mainly substitutes for ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) which are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol.

Although F-gases have no ozone-depleting properties, they have a high global warming potential, in some cases thousands of times greater than carbon dioxide (CO₂), the main greenhouse gas.

The EU last week submitted a reasoned opinion – the second stage of the three-pronged legal procedure – against Malta.

In response, the government said that, while Malta remained committed to respecting the EU rules, the ministry was liaising with relevant bodies to establish training courses and had already made a call for registration for these courses.

“However, only one bidder responded to this call and, upon evaluation, this bid was qualified as non-compliant with the relevant requirements,” the government said.

The Commission’s decision to step up its legal action against Malta was taken in Brussels on the recommendation of Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, who is responsible for climate action.

The Commission warned that, in the absence of a satisfactory response within two months, it may refer the case to the European Court of Justice.

Brussels issued a similar warning to Italy.