In Belgium, the refrigeration sector operates under a strict regulatory framework that combines European regulations with regional specifics. Enthalpic SRL guarantees installation and maintenance in full compliance with every Belgian legal obligation. Our expertise covers the whole set of requirements: from the European F-Gas regulation to acoustic standards and regional permits (VLAREM, noise ordinances), including FASFC (AFSCA) obligations for food businesses and NBN standards.
Regulations applicable in Belgium
F-Gas (EU) 2024/573
Application in Belgium: inspections and certification are organised at regional level (Wallonia, Brussels, Flanders). Certification is mandatory for any handling of fluorinated gases.
Key points:
- Technicians and companies certified per region
- Phase-down of HFCs and new bans on placing on the market
- Leak checks according to the CO₂e charge and an up-to-date equipment logbook
- Recovery and traceability of refrigerants
Belgian NBN standards
Bureau for Standardisation: national technical standards for safety, performance and ergonomics.
Main standards applied:
- NBN EN 378 — Refrigerating systems and heat pumps (safety and environment)
- NBN S 01-400-1 — Acoustics of residential buildings
- NBN EN ISO 7243 — Thermal environments at work
- NBN EN 14511 — Energy performance (heat pumps)
Regional regulations
Belgian specifics: each region sets its own rules on noise, declarations and permits and energy inspections (EPB).
Compliance per region (summary):
- Wallonia — EPB inspections every 5 years (≥ 12 kW); noise limits set through the permit.
- Brussels-Capital — initial diagnosis within 6 months of commissioning, then periodically every 15 years (12—100 kW) / every 5 years (> 100 kW); noise limits per zone and period.
- Flanders — air conditioning energy inspection every 5 years (> 12 kW); VLAREM classification (class 3 = declaration, class 2 = permit depending on capacity).
Regulatory comparison per region
Belgium is a federal state: each region applies its own rules on noise, authorisations and energy inspections of air conditioning and refrigeration installations.
Important: the noise limits below are indicative. The applicable value is set by the permit (zone, day/evening/night periods) and/or by specific conditions. Noise values are set by the environmental or planning permit according to the zone (residential/industrial) and the period (day/evening/night).
| Criterion | 🔴 Wallonia | 🔵 Brussels-Capital | 🟡 Flanders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise limit | Usual: ~40 dB (indicative) | Usual: ~30 dB (indicative) | Usual: ~30—35 dB (indicative) |
| Measuring distance | Often 3.5 m from the facade (varies) | Sometimes 0.5 m from the facade (varies) | Often 3.5 m / property line (varies) |
| Declaration required | Depending on capacity (≥ 12 kW: EPB obligations) | Initial EPB diagnosis within 6 months | VLAREM: Class 3 (declaration) depending on capacity |
| Permit required | Depending on capacity (environmental permit) | Depending on capacity (environmental permit) | VLAREM: Class 2 (above the VLAREM threshold) |
| EPB inspection | Every 5 years (≥ 12 kW) | 15 years (12—100 kW) / 5 years (> 100 kW) | Every 5 years (> 12 kW) — air conditioning energy inspection |