The aim of this work is to study the background to our present and recent uses of CFCs and HCFCs. The work also aims to offer a strategy for the future, based on the most recent legislation, which is being introduced primarily to combat ozone depletion, but, increasingly, greenhouse warming is being seen as a problem which should be addressed now also. The need for temperature control is discussed, in particular the recent legislation on foodstuffs in the United Kingdom. The historical development of modern refrigeration has been presented, along with the current refrigerant families, with an analysis of how modern refrigerants were selected. Legislation throughout Europe will have the most profound effect on Thermo King Europe, and at present is running ahead of legislation worldwide on CFCs, and in particular, is running ahead of the Montreal Protocol