For many campers, refillable gas bottles in motorhomes are part of everyday life when it comes to gas supply in their motorhome or caravan. But what about the legal requirements? Are you even allowed to install these LPG tanks in your vehicle? We clarify the most important questions about refillable gas bottles in motorhomes and explain what you need to know about the regulations and certifications.
What are refillable gas bottles anyway?
Refillable gas bottles are special pressurized gas containers that have been developed for safe operation in motorhomes and caravans. They have an automatic 80% fill-stop valve that stops the refueling process as soon as the tank is full.
There are two types of refillable gas bottles:
- CE/PI certified gas cylinders: These cylinders come with an 80% stop system (multivalves or OPD valve). They are the cylinders you know from the DIY store and can exchange. These cylinders are only "portable", i.e. they must not be permanently installed in the vehicle.
- ECE 67R01 homologated refillable gas bottles: These cylinders are high-quality LPG tanks that meet all international safety standards, such as ECE-R67 - a true safety package of the highest standard. However, certain requirements must be taken into account for installation in your vehicle.
The CE marking - a must for many products
CE marking - the key to selling many products in the EU. But what does this have to do with refillable gas bottles? Quite simply: you have to ensure that the cylinder meets EU safety standards. However, a CE marking alone does not mean that the cylinder can be used everywhere without any problems. Outside the EU, such as in the USA, Australia or Great Britain, stricter regulations apply, which often have higher requirements than CE certification. For example, products in the USA require UL certification, while the new UKCA regulation applies in the UK.
Refillable gas bottles in motorhomes: is this even allowed?
The regulations in Germany are not entirely clear. However, there are several standards that manufacturers and suppliers must adhere to in order to ensure that the installation of refillable gas bottles in motorhomes complies with the law. An important standard here is DIN EN 1949, which describes how liquid gas systems are correctly installed in motorhomes.
In short, a DIN standard is not a law, but a guideline. It helps to define safety standards, but is not binding unless it is incorporated into a law.
TÜV or not? That is the question here!
There is a misconception that refillable gas bottles with CE marking are either banned or subject to TÜV approval - but this information is wrong! CE-certified refillable gas cylinders such as the Alugas refillable gas cylinder do not require TÜV approval as long as you install them according to the manufacturer's instructions. The manufacturer confirms conformity, so there is no need for the TÜV test.
The situation is quite different with ECE-R67-certified refillable gas bottles: These must be approved by the TÜV and entered in your vehicle documents. But thesame applies here: with the right installation, you have the legal security you need.
Changes and new regulations
A lot is happening when it comes to refillable gas bottles in motorhomes! The German Liquid Gas Association (DVFG) is working on a new gas testing regulation (G 607) to eliminate ambiguities and ensure greater safety. EN 1949 was last amended in 2022, but no new changes are currently known. So everything remains largely stable - at least for the time being.
For anyone who is still unsure whether their refillable gas bottle complies with the regulations, there are now official guidelines and leaflets to help guide you.
What is the situation in other countries?
In other European countries, the situation is similar to that in Germany: the EN 1949 and ECE-R67 standards are generally used there too. There is only one special case in Switzerland, where refillable gas bottles must be installed by certified specialist companies - regardless of whether they are CE or ECE-R67 certified.
Conclusion: Refillable gas bottles in motorhomes - a must for safety and comfort!
So if you want to install a refillable gas bottle in your motorhome, you should make sure that it is properly certified and meets all regulations. This way you can ensure that you are not only on the safe side, but that you can also enjoy your freedom on the road without any problems.
Want to find out more about the latest regulations and how to correctly install your refillable gas bottle in your motorhome? You can find more information in our previous article: Link to "New regulations for refillable gas bottles: Important adjustments to come".