Jon,

The old Freon (there were a couple of dozen variants, with only one or two commonly used) was CFC. The newer ones generally are HCFCs, and here the Freon name is still attached, but with different numbers following.

The CFC (Chloro-Fluoro-Carbon) would be more accurately abbreviated as a ClFC but usage has been established otherwise. The HCFC, for Hydrogenated-Chloro-Fluoro-Carbon, replaces some of the Chlorine and/or Fluorine side molecules with Hydrogen, which allows the molecules to revert to "benzine ring" structures that reduce volatility and chemical activity, so that the breakdown products are less "ozone destructive." [Don't quote me to the chemists, but that's the rough idea.]

Since "Freon" is a trade name, the UK may be using a generic name (chemical name) more commonly than is done in the US, but the "Freon guys" are still about the only ones making "whatever it is that's legal" here.

There probably are still a number of old refrigerators here still running with "old Freon" in them. There was a transition period during which they could be recharged, if necessary, with the old Freon; but no new "old Freon" could be manufactured. During the transition, I've seen what used to be advertised as a "thirty dollar bottle" of CF12 for sale for $225, but it's unavailable at any price now and probably illegal to use.

I believe that currently it's illegal to recharge anything with the old stuff now. The unit has to be converted to one of the new refrigerants (usually still a Freon here).

Even "scrapping" one of the old ones requires that the old Freon be removed by a licensed person and contained for disposal. Just dumping an old 'fridge without removing the stuff, usually Freon 12 or CF12, is technically a Federal crime. (And the Federal fine for using the old Freon(s) with the wrong numbers for much of anything starts at about $10,000 per incident, the same as for barbecuing a spotted owl or for possessing an eagle feather.)

John