SF₆ Regulations: What’s Changing (2026–2035)? And Where?

Key takeaways for MV (24–36 kV)

- European Union: New SF₆‑using medium‑voltage switchgear up to andincluding 24 kV is banned from being put into operation from 1 Jan 2026. For>24 kV up to and including 52 kV, the ban applies from 1 Jan 2030.

Source: EU F‑gas Regulation 2024/573,Article 13(9).

- United States: California has begun a phase‑out of new SF₆gas‑insulated equipment (GIE) by voltage and configuration starting in 2025;New York adopted a similar phase‑out with first medium‑voltage dates beginning1 Jan 2027.

Sources: CARB “Regulation for GIE” (Final Regulation Order); New York 6 NYCRR Part 495.

- From 1 Jan 2035 in the EU, using virgin SF₆ forservicing/maintenance of switchgear is prohibited (reclaimed/recycled SF₆allowed, with limited exceptions).

Source: EU 2024/573, Article 13(7).

Why SF₆ draws regulatory attention

SF₆ has an extremely high 100‑year GlobalWarming Potential (GWP): 23,500 (IPCC AR5) and 25,200 (IPCC AR6). Field dataand studies for GIS fleets often show annual leakage in the order of ~0.4–1.3%under normal operation, depending on design and practice. Regulators therefore focus both on preventing new SF₆ equipment and on leak‑prevention/servicing controls.

Sources: IPCC/Greenhouse Gas Protocol GWP tables; UK DSA “Generic design risk assessment – SF6” (2021).

Where SF₆ in switchgear is restricted or priced

European Union (binding, in force)

EU Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (in force since 20 Feb 2024) prohibits putting into operation new electrical switchgear using fluorinated greenhouse gases on the following dates:

Class

Voltage / Rating

Ban date (putting into operation)

Medium voltage

≤ 24 kV

1 Jan 2026

Medium voltage

> 24 kV and ≤ 52 kV

1 Jan 2030

High voltage

52–145 kV and ≤ 50 kA short‑circuit

1 Jan 2028

High voltage

> 145 kV or > 50 kA short‑circuit

1 Jan 2032

There are narrow procurement‑basedderogations where no competitive bids for SF₆‑free (or very low‑GWP) equipmentare received, and a service ban on the use of virgin SF₆ from 1 Jan 2035. SeeArticle 13(7), (9), and related paragraphs for the exact wording andexceptions.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2024/573, Article13.

United Kingdom (current position)

Great Britain currently retains F‑gascontrols on handling, labelling, certification and leak‑checking of switchgear,but has not adopted EU‑style SF₆ switchgear phase‑out dates. Operators mustcomply with leak checks and record‑keeping; policy on future bans remains underUK review.

Source: GOV.UK guidance: “High voltageswitchgear containing SF6.”

United States (state action + federal reporting)

California Air Resources Board (CARB) –“Regulation for Gas‑Insulated Equipment (GIE)” – prohibits acquisition of newSF₆ GIE on a schedule by voltage, installation type and short‑circuit ratingbeginning 1 Jan 2025 for the first MV categories, with later dates through 2033for the highest voltages. New York’s 6 NYCRR Part 495 (adopted Dec 2024) setsMV phase‑out dates beginning 1 Jan 2027 (e.g., ≤38 kV above‑ground) and extendsthrough 2033 for >245 kV.

Massachusetts (310 CMR 7.72) does not bannew SF₆ outright but requires that new GIS demonstrate a ≤1.0% annual leak rateand imposes system‑wide emission limits.

Federally, owners above the reportingthreshold must report SF₆ (and covered insulating gas) emissions under the U.S.EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (40 CFR 98 Subpart DD).

Sources: CARB Final Regulation Order forGIE; NY 6 NYCRR Part 495; MassDEP 310 CMR 7.72; U.S. EPA GHGRP Subpart DD.

Nordics & Switzerland

Norway: excise duty on SF₆ applies atimport/production. 2025 rates published by the Norwegian Tax Administrationinclude NOK 33,018 per kg for pure SF₆ and NOK 6,604 per kg for SF₆ containedin products.

Denmark: green excise duty applies toHFCs/PFCs/SF₆; the rate for SF₆ is set in Danish tax schedules (e.g., SKATguidance lists DKK‑per‑kg rates).

Switzerland: no ban, but a federalvoluntary sector‑wide agreement coordinated by Swissmem aims to minimise SF₆consumption and emissions; targets include national emissions limits andreporting.

Sources: Skatteetaten (Norway) SF₆ exciseduty pages; SKAT/MST Denmark; Swiss FOEN/Swissmem voluntary agreement.

Rest of world (selected)

Australia and New Zealand: SF₆ used inpower systems is subject to greenhouse‑gas reporting/levy frameworks (e.g.,Australia’s GHGRP (NGER) Subpart DD‑equivalent reporting for T&D users; NewZealand’s ETS obligations and levies for SGGs).

Sources: Australia NGER Subpart DD pages;NZ EPA / MfE guidance on SGG/ETS.

What this means if you specify 24–36 kV GIS

·        In the EU, SF₆‑using 24 kV primary and secondary switchgear can no longer be putinto operation from 1 Jan 2026; 36 kV (within >24–≤52 kV) followson 1 Jan 2030.

·        California and New York areconverging on phase‑outs of new SF₆ GIEat MV levels during 2025–2028 (category‑dependent), increasing the value of SF₆‑free portfolios for U.S. utilities.

·        Taxes and levies (Nordics) andleak‑rate constraints (e.g., Massachusetts)further increase the total cost of ownership for SF₆ fleets versus SF₆‑free alternatives.

References (quick links)

·        EU: Regulation (EU) 2024/573 —Article 13(7) and (9)

·        CARB “Regulation for Gas‑Insulated Equipment (GIE)” — Final Regulation Order and Summary

·        New York 6 NYCRR Part 495 —Express Terms and law text

·        Massachusetts 310 CMR 7.72 —SF₆ emission limits for GIS

·        U.S. EPA GHGRP Subpart DD —Electric T&D equipment use

·        UK GOV.UK — High voltageswitchgear containing SF₆ (guidance)

·        Norway — Skatteetaten SF₆excise duty (rates)

·        Denmark — SKAT/MST informationon F‑gas excise

·        Switzerland — FOEN/Swissmemvoluntary agreement on SF₆

·        IPCC GWPs (AR5/AR6) —Greenhouse Gas Protocol tables

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