The French and European regulations on leak detection checks for refrigerating and air conditioning systems aim at:
‹ limiting the emissions of greenhouse effect refrigerants
‹ enhancing the protection of the ozone layer.

The European regulation 2037/2000 imposes refrigerating and air conditioning installations containing more than 3 kg of refrigerant to undergo an air tightness check on a yearly basis.

The check should be performed by a company duly registered: when starting-up, when intervening on the circuit, and at least once a year for installations in operation.