Compressed air standards and legislation update

Key EU legislation

PFAS and the regulation of forever chemicals

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as ‘forever chemicals,’ are becoming a focal point in EU and UK regulatory activity. With over seven million substances identified according to PubChem and continued widespread use across industry, PFAS substances pose significant environmental and health challenges.

BCAS was involved initially at European level via Pneurop (The European Association of Manufacturers of Compressors, Vacuum Pumps, Pneumatic Tools and Air & Condensate Treatment Equipment, itself a European Sector Association of Orgalim) and its PN14 committee.  The focus was on the use of PFAS in paper filter media before expanding to other Pneurop committees due to the breadth of applications affected. 

The EU REACH/European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) public consultation on PFAS regulation closed in September 2023 and generated an unprecedented volume of over 5,600 responses. Input from Pneurop and BCAS acknowledged the need for a more ‘granular’ approach to regulation and in November last year, the ECHA adopted this approach, with key market sectors identified as priority areas. 

The compressed air sector’s biggest concern to date has been the use of fluorinated gases (F-Gas), which are already regulated, but sealing materials like PTFE, FPM and FFKM are also coming under scrutiny.

F-Gas refrigerant gases

The F-Gas regulation continues to evolve under the frameworks established by the Montreal Protocol (1987) and its Kigali Amendment (2016). The 2024 revision of EU F-Gas regulations aims to reduce reliance on high-GWP refrigerants, pushing the market toward newer, more environmentally friendly alternatives like HFC/HFO blends, which are becoming more widely used.

However, these alternatives come with greater safety challenges due to increased flammability and toxicity and, no suitable plug-and-play replacements currently exist. 

The UK's current F-Gas target aims for a 79 per cent reduction in HFC usage by 2030. Post-Brexit, UK companies must now navigate a separate quota system for F-Gas, distinct from the EU.

One area of concern is the classification of compressed air refrigerated dryer products (CARDs), which are not explicitly recognised under the F-Gas rules. BCAS’s PN14 group has produced position papers to help define categories, including direct expansion systems (SCAC) and intermediate circuit chillers, while also supporting applications for exemptions in Germany, Italy and Belgium. 

BCAS continues to monitor developments in both UK and EU regulatory frameworks closely via the Environment Agency and DEFRA.

Carbon Borders Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

The CBAM is based on the EU’s plan to incentivise industry in third world countries to take climate action and address carbon leakage and embedded emissions.  It mandates emissions reporting and potentially levies carbon costs on imported goods from outside the EU.

The EU’s CBAM covers industries such as cement, steel, aluminium, fertilisers, hydrogen, and electricity and follows suit in the UK, with the exclusion of electricity. 

The transition phase began in Q4 2023 but has not been altogether smooth. Full implementation is expected by January 2026 in the EU and by January 2027 in the UK.

The scheme is not without its challenges. EU27 SMEs, especially export-driven manufacturers, are expected to bear the brunt of disproportionate impacts. Compounding the issue are administrative burdens tied to complex supply chains and the difficulty of accurately tracking embedded emissions.

UK exporters, alongside Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey face a unique hurdle as they must rely on indirect customs representatives to operate within the EU system. In contrast, third-country manufacturers may gain competitive advantages by sourcing cheaper raw materials and bypassing CBAM altogether, unless these disparities are addressed.

UK updates to reflect the implementation of the EU Machinery Regulation

The EU Machinery Directive has been updated to become the EU Machinery Regulation and comes into force from January 2027.

The UK (we have to be clear, here), technically this is applicable to the GB market, because of Northern Ireland and the Belfast Agreement) has an equivalent implemented regulation vehicle known as The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations.

Since Britain left the EU, there is no requirement to follow EU regulations, but we are continuing to recognise CE marking (and all that this entails, regarding compliance to EU Regulations and Directives).

Therefore, the Government is proposing to update the UK Regulation to align with the EU update.  

Post the passing of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, the Government’s review will include considering UK adoption of elements of the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, which, was introduced post a review of the Machinery Directive.  Entry into force of the new Regulation took place in the EU and NI in July 2023, with an application date of January 2027.

The UK Government has launched a call for evidence, which closes on 20 October 2025 prior to implementing any changes. See Machinery safety legislation: call for evidence - GOV.UK

BCAS has notified its members of the activity and encouraged those with an interest to engage in the process.

In addition, the OPSS has been hosting a series of Machinery Regulation roundtables in Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, during August, September and into October. Use this form to register.

Tim attended the Birmingham session on 11 September to represent the views and needs of BCAS members and the wider compressed air industry.

BCAS’s role in ISO, BSI, and CEN

Beyond legislation, BCAS is helping to shape international and national standards. The organisation is active within ISO’s Technical Committee 118 (TC118), which oversees standards for compressors, pneumatic tools, and related systems.

• SC6 focuses on compressed air systems, with working groups targeting performance specifications (WG1), safety (WG2), and energy management (WG4).
• SC4 addresses compressed air treatment technologies, with the working group (WG1) focused on air purity specification and treatment equipment.

Other recently published standards include:

• ISO 4376 (2024): Test method for cycle energy requirements
• ISO 22484 (2024): Performance test code for low-pressure compressors
• ISO 8573-5 (2025): Measurement of oil vapour contaminants

Tim Preece is technical officer at the British Compressed Air Society 

www.bcas.org.uk

Tel: 0207 935 2464