Is air conditioning maintenance mandatory in Brussels?
It all depends on the capacity of the system and the amount of refrigerant. Here are the rules to know, with the official sources.
- EPB inspection
- Leak checks
- Official sources
- Certified refrigeration engineerBrussels Environment & Wallonia
- Homes & businessesHouses, offices, hospitality, shops
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In the Brussels-Capital Region, three sets of rules can apply to an air conditioning system. They depend on the capacity of the system and the amount of refrigerant it contains. A small home air conditioner is often covered by none of them, whereas a system in offices or a shop almost always is.
Information checked in October 2026. Rules and grants change: before deciding, check the official sources listed on this page.
The EPB air conditioning inspection (from 12 kW)
It applies to systems with an effective cooling capacity of 12 kW or more, meaning the sum of the units connected to the same control system.
- When? No later than 6 months after commissioning, after 50 % of the capacity is added or modified, then every 15 years (12 to 100 kW) or every 5 years (above 100 kW).
- By whom? An EPB air conditioning adviser approved by Brussels Environment.
- Maintenance: these systems must follow a minimum maintenance programme, with an up-to-date logbook. Responsibility lies with the owner or the environmental permit holder.
- If non-compliant: the system must be brought into compliance within 12 months, followed by a new inspection.
Leak checks (fluorinated gases)
They depend on the amount of refrigerant per circuit, expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (charge in kg multiplied by the global warming potential of the refrigerant, divided by 1,000).
- From 5 tonnes CO2 equivalent of HFCs: one check per year.
- From 50 tonnes: every 6 months. From 500 tonnes: every 3 months.
- Fixed leak detection: halves the frequency (mandatory above 500 tonnes).
- Exemption: hermetically sealed, labelled equipment below 10 tonnes CO2 equivalent.
- Record: the operator keeps a record of interventions, completed by the technician.
As a rough guide: with R32, about 7.4 kg of refrigerant in a single circuit is needed to reach 5 tonnes CO2 equivalent.
The environmental permit
Depending on the electrical power of the compressors and the amount of refrigerant, a system may require an environmental permit (heading 132). The thresholds are set out on the Brussels Environment page listed below. Any change (new refrigerant, relocation, extension) requires prior authorisation.
What we do for you
- We check with you which obligations apply to your system.
- We carry out maintenance, leak checks and keep the record up to date.
- If your system exceeds 12 kW, we refer you to an approved EPB air conditioning adviser for the inspection.
Official sources
- environnement.brusselsBrussels Environment: EPB inspections and maintenanceEPB air conditioning inspection and maintenance programme (in French).
- environnement.brusselsBrussels Environment: heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigerationleak checks, record and environmental permit (in French).
- environnement.brusselsBrussels Environment: find an EPB professionallist of approved advisers (in French).
- eur-lex.europa.euEU Regulation 2024/573 on fluorinated gasesreference text for leak checks.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Does my home air conditioner need to be inspected?
A small residential system often stays below the thresholds for the EPB inspection (12 kW cooling capacity) and for leak checks (5 tonnes CO2 equivalent per circuit). Check the capacity and refrigerant charge on the rating plate, or ask us to do it.
Who can carry out leak checks?
A qualified refrigeration technician working for a refrigeration company registered with Brussels Environment.
Who carries out the EPB air conditioning inspection?
An EPB air conditioning adviser approved by Brussels Environment. The list is available on the Brussels Environment website.
What if my system is not subject to any obligation?
Regular maintenance is still useful: it preserves efficiency, the quality of the air blown into the room and the life of the unit, and helps spot a leak before a breakdown.
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