diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/amber/amber_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/amber/amber_check.py
index d7d9b7948f..7cc0b65bd1 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/amber/amber_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/amber/amber_check.py
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ def __init__(self, input_file, output_file):
         self.tags = {'scs', 'external-resources'}
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*(
     [variant, arch, scale]
     for variant in ['prod', 'maint']
diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/cp2k/cp2k_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/cp2k/cp2k_check.py
index 557e42dd71..2ba8b51c1a 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/cp2k/cp2k_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/cp2k/cp2k_check.py
@@ -126,11 +126,12 @@ def __init__(self, scale, variant):
     @rfm.run_before('run')
     def set_task_distribution(self):
         self.job.options = ['--distribution=block:block']
- 
+
     @rfm.run_before('run')
     def set_cpu_binding(self):
         self.job.launcher.options = ['--cpu-bind=cores']
 
+
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([s, v]
                           for s in ['small', 'large']
                           for v in ['maint', 'prod']))
diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/cpmd/cpmd_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/cpmd/cpmd_check.py
index 4110a85793..32434202fd 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/cpmd/cpmd_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/cpmd/cpmd_check.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['small'], ['large'])
 class CPMDCheck(rfm.RunOnlyRegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, scale):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/greasy/greasy_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/greasy/greasy_check.py
index a5315656d7..defe61b689 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/greasy/greasy_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/greasy/greasy_check.py
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ def to_seconds(str):
             datetime.strptime('00:00:00', '%H:%M:%S')).total_seconds()
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.19')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(
     ['serial',     'gpu', 24, 12, 1, 1],
     ['serial',     'mc',  72, 36, 1, 1],
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ def __init__(self, variant, partition, num_greasy_tasks, nworkes_per_node,
         # sleep enough time to distinguish if the files are running in parallel
         # or not
         self.sleep_time = 60
-        self.build_system.cflags = ['-DSLEEP_TIME=%d' % self.sleep_time]
+        self.build_system.cflags = [f'-DSLEEP_TIME={self.sleep_time:d}']
         self.variant = variant
         if variant == 'openmp':
             self.build_system.cflags += ['-fopenmp']
diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/gromacs/gromacs_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/gromacs/gromacs_check.py
index 93275c47cf..7474ddc98f 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/gromacs/gromacs_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/gromacs/gromacs_check.py
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ def __init__(self, output_file):
         self.tags = {'scs', 'external-resources'}
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.19')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([s, v]
                           for s in ['small', 'large']
                           for v in ['prod', 'maint']))
@@ -96,7 +95,6 @@ def __init__(self, scale, variant):
         self.tags |= {'maintenance' if variant == 'maint' else 'production'}
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.19')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([s, v]
                           for s in ['small', 'large']
                           for v in ['prod']))
diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/lammps/lammps_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/lammps/lammps_check.py
index 81a59b4815..702a7011e1 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/lammps/lammps_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/lammps/lammps_check.py
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         self.maintainers = ['TR', 'VH']
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16.0')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([s, v]
                           for s in ['small', 'large']
                           for v in ['prod', 'maint']))
@@ -88,7 +87,6 @@ def __init__(self, scale, variant):
         self.tags |= {'maintenance' if variant == 'maint' else 'production'}
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16.0')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([s, v]
                           for s in ['small', 'large']
                           for v in ['prod']))
diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/namd/namd_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/namd/namd_check.py
index b0916b434f..c86fe725c3 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/namd/namd_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/namd/namd_check.py
@@ -11,11 +11,12 @@
 
 class NamdBaseCheck(rfm.RunOnlyRegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, arch, scale, variant):
-        self.descr = 'NAMD check (%s, %s)' % (arch, variant)
+        self.descr = f'NAMD check ({arch}, {variant})'
         if self.current_system.name == 'pilatus':
             self.valid_prog_environs = ['cpeIntel']
         else:
             self.valid_prog_environs = ['builtin']
+
         self.modules = ['NAMD']
 
         # Reset sources dir relative to the SCS apps prefix
@@ -70,7 +71,6 @@ def __init__(self, arch, scale, variant):
         }
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([s, v]
                           for s in ['small', 'large']
                           for v in ['maint', 'prod']))
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ def __init__(self, scale, variant):
             }
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([s, v]
                           for s in ['small', 'large']
                           for v in ['maint', 'prod']))
diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/python/numpy_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/python/numpy_check.py
index 381cbcd1b2..260d5f4f51 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/python/numpy_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/python/numpy_check.py
@@ -74,7 +74,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         self.maintainers = ['RS', 'TR']
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class NumpyHaswellTest(NumpyBaseTest):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -83,7 +82,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         self.num_cpus_per_task = 12
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class NumpyBroadwellTest(NumpyBaseTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/quantumespresso/quantumespresso_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/quantumespresso/quantumespresso_check.py
index f329f03e21..ffefdaf77b 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/quantumespresso/quantumespresso_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/quantumespresso/quantumespresso_check.py
@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ def set_task_distribution(self):
     def set_cpu_binding(self):
         self.job.launcher.options = ['--cpu-bind=cores']
 
+
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([s, v]
                           for s in ['small', 'large']
                           for v in ['maint', 'prod']))
diff --git a/cscs-checks/apps/tensorflow/tf2_horovod_check.py b/cscs-checks/apps/tensorflow/tf2_horovod_check.py
index bae909af39..bfd591288d 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/apps/tensorflow/tf2_horovod_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/apps/tensorflow/tf2_horovod_check.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.osext as osext
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['small'], ['large'])
 class TensorFlow2HorovodTest(rfm.RunOnlyRegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, variant):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/compile/haswell_fma_check.py b/cscs-checks/compile/haswell_fma_check.py
index ecf53a99fa..6dd2ff9d32 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/compile/haswell_fma_check.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/compile/haswell_fma_check.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class HaswellFmaCheck(rfm.CompileOnlyRegressionTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/compile/libsci_resolve.py b/cscs-checks/compile/libsci_resolve.py
index 4abf5a2295..f7d472f3f6 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/compile/libsci_resolve.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/compile/libsci_resolve.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         self.tags = {'production', 'craype'}
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['craype-accel-nvidia35'], ['craype-accel-nvidia60'])
 class NvidiaResolveTest(LibSciResolveBaseTest):
     def __init__(self, module_name):
@@ -65,7 +64,6 @@ def set_sanity(self):
         ])
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class MKLResolveTest(LibSciResolveBaseTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/libraries/io/hdf5_compile_run.py b/cscs-checks/libraries/io/hdf5_compile_run.py
index 366b8c09e5..e70d01c45b 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/libraries/io/hdf5_compile_run.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/libraries/io/hdf5_compile_run.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([lang, linkage] for lang in ['c', 'f90']
                           for linkage in ['static', 'dynamic']))
 class HDF5Test(rfm.RegressionTest):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/libraries/io/netcdf_compile_run.py b/cscs-checks/libraries/io/netcdf_compile_run.py
index 3f18b78bc5..985f89f9e1 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/libraries/io/netcdf_compile_run.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/libraries/io/netcdf_compile_run.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([lang, linkage] for lang in ['cpp', 'c', 'f90']
                           for linkage in ['dynamic', 'static']))
 class NetCDFTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/libraries/magma/magma_checks.py b/cscs-checks/libraries/magma/magma_checks.py
index ddddd0cbd2..d445311fef 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/libraries/magma/magma_checks.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/libraries/magma/magma_checks.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['cblas_z'], ['zgemm'],
                         ['zsymmetrize'], ['ztranspose'])
 class MagmaCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/libraries/math/scalapack_compile_run.py b/cscs-checks/libraries/math/scalapack_compile_run.py
index cf9f9c4588..63f14ab2f7 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/libraries/math/scalapack_compile_run.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/libraries/math/scalapack_compile_run.py
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ def __init__(self, linkage):
         self.tags = {'production', 'external-resources'}
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['static'], ['dynamic'])
 class ScaLAPACKSanity(ScaLAPACKTest):
     def __init__(self, linkage):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/libraries/math/trilinos_compile_run.py b/cscs-checks/libraries/math/trilinos_compile_run.py
index adef7d2770..2285085bd4 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/libraries/math/trilinos_compile_run.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/libraries/math/trilinos_compile_run.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['static'], ['dynamic'])
 class TrilinosTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, linkage):
@@ -21,7 +20,7 @@ def __init__(self, linkage):
         self.linkage = linkage
 
         self.build_system = 'SingleSource'
-        self.build_system.ldflags = ['-%s' % linkage, '-lparmetis']
+        self.build_system.ldflags = [f'-{linkage}', f'-lparmetis']
         self.build_system.cppflags = ['-DHAVE_MPI', '-DEPETRA_MPI']
         self.prgenv_flags = {
             'PrgEnv-cray': ['-fopenmp', '-O2', '-ffast-math', '-std=c++11',
diff --git a/cscs-checks/libraries/petsc/petsc_helloworld.py b/cscs-checks/libraries/petsc/petsc_helloworld.py
index 566a041e58..308d731065 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/libraries/petsc/petsc_helloworld.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/libraries/petsc/petsc_helloworld.py
@@ -7,12 +7,11 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['dynamic'], ['static'])
 class PetscPoisson2DCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, linkage):
-        self.descr = ('Compile/run PETSc 2D Poisson example with cray-petsc '
-                      '(%s linking)') % linkage
+        self.descr = (f'Compile/run PETSc 2D Poisson example with cray-petsc '
+                      f'({linkage} linking)')
         self.valid_systems = ['daint:gpu', 'daint:mc', 'dom:gpu', 'dom:mc']
         self.valid_prog_environs = ['PrgEnv-cray', 'PrgEnv-gnu',
                                     'PrgEnv-intel']
diff --git a/cscs-checks/mch/gpu_direct_acc.py b/cscs-checks/mch/gpu_direct_acc.py
index 46310b57ae..eda9953edd 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/mch/gpu_direct_acc.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/mch/gpu_direct_acc.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class GpuDirectAccCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/mch/gpu_direct_cuda.py b/cscs-checks/mch/gpu_direct_cuda.py
index dbd1673542..dea86e3f85 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/mch/gpu_direct_cuda.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/mch/gpu_direct_cuda.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class GpuDirectCudaCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/dgemm/dgemm.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/dgemm/dgemm.py
index 8382849e43..fb175d3d62 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/dgemm/dgemm.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/dgemm/dgemm.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class DGEMMTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/fft/fftw_benchmark.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/fft/fftw_benchmark.py
index 7c0272ff45..f1bcbfaa68 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/fft/fftw_benchmark.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/fft/fftw_benchmark.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['nompi'], ['mpi'])
 class FFTWTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, exec_mode):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/latency/latency.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/latency/latency.py
index 010a508482..fa02138a9b 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/latency/latency.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/latency/latency.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class CPULatencyTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/likwid/likwid.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/likwid/likwid.py
index 9aade2ede0..621bdf33b0 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/likwid/likwid.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/likwid/likwid.py
@@ -54,7 +54,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         }
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*[[l, k] for l in ['L1', 'L2', 'L3']
                           for k in ['load_avx', 'store_avx']],
                         ['memory', 'load_avx'],
@@ -63,7 +62,7 @@ class CPUBandwidth(MemBandwidthTest):
     def __init__(self, mem_level, kernel_name):
         super().__init__()
 
-        self.descr = 'CPU <- %s %s benchmark' % (mem_level, kernel_name)
+        self.descr = f'CPU <- {mem_level} {kernel_name} benchmark'
         self.valid_systems = ['daint:mc', 'daint:gpu', 'dom:gpu', 'dom:mc']
 
         # the kernel to run in likwid
@@ -108,26 +107,24 @@ def set_exec_opts(self):
         self.data_size = self.system_cache_sizes[partname][self.mem_level]
         self.num_cpus_per_task = self.system_num_cpus[partname]
         numa_domains = self.system_numa_domains[partname]
-        num_cpu_domain = self.num_cpus_per_task / (len(numa_domains) *
-                                                   self.num_tasks_per_core)
+        num_cpu_domain = self.num_cpus_per_task // (len(numa_domains) *
+                                                    self.num_tasks_per_core)
         # result for daint:mc: '-w S0:100MB:18:1:2 -w S1:100MB:18:1:2'
         # format: -w domain:data_size:nthreads:chunk_size:stride
         # chunk_size and stride affect which cpus from <domain> are selected
-        workgroups = ['-w %s:%s:%d:1:2' %
-                      (dom, self.data_size, num_cpu_domain)
+        workgroups = [f'-w {dom}:{self.data_size}:{num_cpu_domain:d}:1:2'
                       for dom in numa_domains]
 
-        self.executable_opts = ['-t %s' % self.kernel_name] + workgroups
+        self.executable_opts = [f'-t {self.kernel_name}'] + workgroups
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class CPUBandwidthCrossSocket(MemBandwidthTest):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
 
-        self.descr = ("CPU S0 <- main memory S1 read " +
-                      "CPU S1 <- main memory S0 read")
+        self.descr = ('CPU S0 <- main memory S1 read '
+                      'CPU S1 <- main memory S0 read')
 
         self.valid_systems = ['daint:mc', 'dom:mc']
         self.kernel_name = 'load_avx'
@@ -146,15 +143,14 @@ def set_exec_opts(self):
         self.num_cpus_per_task = self.system_num_cpus[partname]
         numa_domains = self.system_numa_domains[partname]
 
-        num_cpu_domain = (self.num_cpus_per_task /
+        num_cpu_domain = (self.num_cpus_per_task //
                           (len(numa_domains) * self.num_tasks_per_core))
 
         # daint:mc: '-w S0:100MB:18:1:2-0:S1 -w S1:100MB:18:1:2-0:S0'
         # format:
         # -w domain:data_size:nthreads:chunk_size:stride-stream_nr:mem_domain
         # chunk_size and stride affect which cpus from <domain> are selected
-        workgroups = ['-w %s:100MB:%d:1:2-0:%s' %
-                      (dom_cpu, num_cpu_domain, dom_mem)
+        workgroups = [f'-w {dom_cpu}:100MB:{num_cpu_domain:d}:1:2-0:{dom_mem}'
                       for dom_cpu, dom_mem in
                       zip(numa_domains[:2], reversed(numa_domains[:2]))]
 
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/stream/stream.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/stream/stream.py
index a5adac837f..eb2b609582 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/stream/stream.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/stream/stream.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class StreamTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     '''This test checks the stream test:
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/strided_bandwidth/strides.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/strided_bandwidth/strides.py
index 0bd826a8e8..09f47d33be 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/strided_bandwidth/strides.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/cpu/strided_bandwidth/strides.py
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ def num_tasks_assigned(self):
         return self.job.num_tasks
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class StridedBandwidthTest(StridedBase):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -73,10 +72,9 @@ def set_exec_opts(self):
         self.num_cpus = self.system_num_cpus[self.current_partition.fullname]
 
         # 8-byte stride, using the full cacheline
-        self.executable_opts = ['100000000', '1', '%s' % self.num_cpus]
+        self.executable_opts = ['100000000', '1', f'{self.num_cpus}']
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class StridedBandwidthTest64(StridedBase):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -108,7 +106,6 @@ def set_exec_opts(self):
         self.executable_opts = ['100000000', '8', '%s' % self.num_cpus]
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class StridedBandwidthTest128(StridedBase):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/kernel_latency/kernel_latency.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/kernel_latency/kernel_latency.py
index d11fb667de..9b1ab23646 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/kernel_latency/kernel_latency.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/kernel_latency/kernel_latency.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['sync'], ['async'])
 class KernelLatencyTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, kernel_version):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/shmem/shmem.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/shmem/shmem.py
index 354ee92a17..f64a0402b1 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/shmem/shmem.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/shmem/shmem.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class GPUShmemTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/spec-accel/spec.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/spec-accel/spec.py
index 17cd9626dd..497c67a5c9 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/spec-accel/spec.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/gpu/spec-accel/spec.py
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ def __init__(self, prg_envs):
 
         app_source = os.path.join(self.current_system.resourcesdir,
                                   'SPEC_ACCELv1.2')
-        self.prebuild_cmds = ['cp -r %s/* .' % app_source,
-                              './install.sh -d . -f']
+        self.prebuild_cmds = [f'cp -r {app_source}/* .',
+                              f'./install.sh -d . -f']
 
         # I just want prebuild_cmds, but no action for the build_system
         # is not supported, so I find it something useless to do
@@ -49,13 +49,13 @@ def __init__(self, prg_envs):
         outfile = sn.getitem(sn.glob('result/ACCEL.*.log'), 0)
         self.sanity_patterns_ = {
             env: sn.all([sn.assert_found(
-                r'Success.*%s' % bn, outfile) for bn in self.benchmarks[env]])
+                rf'Success.*{bn}', outfile) for bn in self.benchmarks[env]])
             for env in self.valid_prog_environs
         }
 
         self.perf_patterns_ = {
             env: {bench_name: sn.avg(sn.extractall(
-                  r'Success.*%s.*runtime=(?P<rt>[0-9.]+)' % bench_name,
+                  rf'Success.*{bench_name}.*runtime=(?P<rt>[0-9.]+)',
                   outfile, 'rt', float))
                   for bench_name in self.benchmarks[env]}
             for env in self.valid_prog_environs
@@ -67,14 +67,14 @@ def __init__(self, prg_envs):
     @rfm.run_after('setup')
     def setup_per_env(self):
         envname = self.current_environ.name
-        self.prerun_cmds = ['source ./shrc', 'mv %s config' %
-                            self.configs[envname]]
+        self.prerun_cmds = [
+            f'source ./shrc',
+            f'mv {self.configs[envname]} config'
+        ]
         self.executable_opts = [
-            '--config=%s' %
-            self.configs[envname],
-            '--platform NVIDIA',
-            '--tune=base',
-            '--device GPU'] + self.benchmarks[envname]
+            f'--config={self.configs[envname]}', '--platform NVIDIA',
+            '--tune=base', '--device GPU'
+        ] + self.benchmarks[envname]
         self.reference = {
             'dom:gpu':   self.refs[envname],
             'daint:gpu': self.refs[envname]
@@ -88,7 +88,6 @@ def setup_per_env(self):
         self.job.launcher = getlauncher('local')()
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class SpecAccelCheckOpenCL(SpecAccelCheckBase):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -125,7 +124,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         super().__init__(valid_prog_environs)
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class SpecAccelCheckOpenACC(SpecAccelCheckBase):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/mpi/halo_exchange/halo_cell_exchange.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/mpi/halo_exchange/halo_cell_exchange.py
index af71d7aaa7..59fdf9ff14 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/mpi/halo_exchange/halo_cell_exchange.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/mpi/halo_exchange/halo_cell_exchange.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16-dev0')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class HaloCellExchangeTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/mpi/osu/osu_tests.py b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/mpi/osu/osu_tests.py
index e29c5b589d..e21e1629a9 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/mpi/osu/osu_tests.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/microbenchmarks/mpi/osu/osu_tests.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['production'])
 class AlltoallTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, variant):
@@ -73,7 +72,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         self.tags = {'diagnostic', 'ops', 'benchmark', 'craype'}
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['small'], ['large'])
 class AllreduceTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, variant):
@@ -156,7 +154,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         }
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class P2PCPUBandwidthTest(P2PBaseTest):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -192,7 +189,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         }
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class P2PCPULatencyTest(P2PBaseTest):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -229,7 +225,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         }
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class G2GBandwidthTest(P2PBaseTest):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -267,7 +262,6 @@ def __init__(self):
         self.build_system.cppflags = ['-D_ENABLE_CUDA_']
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.16')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class G2GLatencyTest(P2PBaseTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/prgenv/helloworld.py b/cscs-checks/prgenv/helloworld.py
index e65b3f98d5..ce22af0d4d 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/prgenv/helloworld.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/prgenv/helloworld.py
@@ -105,7 +105,6 @@ def compile_timer_end(self):
         self.compilation_time_seconds = elapsed.total_seconds()
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([lang, linkage]
                           for lang in ['cpp', 'c', 'f90']
                           for linkage in ['dynamic', 'static']))
@@ -130,14 +129,13 @@ def __init__(self, lang, linkage):
         self.num_tasks_per_node = 1
         self.num_cpus_per_task = 1
         if (self.current_system.name in ['arolla', 'tsa'] and
-              linkage == 'dynamic'):
+            linkage == 'dynamic'):
             self.valid_prog_environs += ['PrgEnv-pgi-nompi',
                                          'PrgEnv-pgi-nompi-nocuda',
                                          'PrgEnv-gnu-nompi',
                                          'PrgEnv-gnu-nompi-nocuda']
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([lang, linkage]
                           for lang in ['cpp', 'c', 'f90']
                           for linkage in ['dynamic', 'static']))
@@ -159,7 +157,7 @@ def __init__(self, lang, linkage):
         self.num_tasks_per_node = 1
         self.num_cpus_per_task = 4
         if (self.current_system.name in ['arolla', 'tsa'] and
-              linkage == 'dynamic'):
+            linkage == 'dynamic'):
             self.valid_prog_environs += ['PrgEnv-pgi-nompi',
                                          'PrgEnv-pgi-nompi-nocuda',
                                          'PrgEnv-gnu-nompi',
@@ -172,7 +170,6 @@ def __init__(self, lang, linkage):
         }
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([lang, linkage]
                           for lang in ['cpp', 'c', 'f90']
                           for linkage in ['dynamic', 'static']))
@@ -198,7 +195,6 @@ def __init__(self, lang, linkage):
         self.num_cpus_per_task = 1
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(*([lang, linkage]
                           for lang in ['cpp', 'c', 'f90']
                           for linkage in ['dynamic', 'static']))
diff --git a/cscs-checks/prgenv/mpi.py b/cscs-checks/prgenv/mpi.py
index 9015a401d6..0210b43228 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/prgenv/mpi.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/prgenv/mpi.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['single'], ['funneled'], ['serialized'], ['multiple'])
 class MpiInitTest(rfm.RegressionTest):
     '''This test checks the value returned by calling MPI_Init_thread.
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ def __init__(self, required_thread):
         self.valid_systems = ['daint:gpu', 'daint:mc', 'dom:gpu', 'dom:mc',
                               'eiger:mc']
         self.valid_prog_environs = ['PrgEnv-cray', 'PrgEnv-gnu', 'PrgEnv-pgi',
-                                    'PrgEnv-intel', 'PrgEnv-aocc']
+                                    'PrgEnv-intel']
         self.build_system = 'SingleSource'
         self.sourcesdir = 'src/mpi_thread'
         self.sourcepath = 'mpi_init_thread.cpp'
diff --git a/cscs-checks/prgenv/openacc_checks.py b/cscs-checks/prgenv/openacc_checks.py
index a45d5a0196..c4598822d2 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/prgenv/openacc_checks.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/prgenv/openacc_checks.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.parameterized_test(['mpi'], ['nompi'])
 class OpenACCFortranCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self, variant):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/tools/profiling_and_debugging/cuda_gdb.py b/cscs-checks/tools/profiling_and_debugging/cuda_gdb.py
index 08d0e14c8c..251cd25a8c 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/tools/profiling_and_debugging/cuda_gdb.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/tools/profiling_and_debugging/cuda_gdb.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class CudaGdbCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self):
diff --git a/cscs-checks/tools/profiling_and_debugging/nvprof.py b/cscs-checks/tools/profiling_and_debugging/nvprof.py
index 80011033a4..e192cbe4df 100644
--- a/cscs-checks/tools/profiling_and_debugging/nvprof.py
+++ b/cscs-checks/tools/profiling_and_debugging/nvprof.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 import reframe.utility.sanity as sn
 
 
-@rfm.required_version('>=2.14')
 @rfm.simple_test
 class NvprofCheck(rfm.RegressionTest):
     def __init__(self):
@@ -39,8 +38,8 @@ def __init__(self):
         # cuda/10.1
         self.postrun_cmds = ['cat /etc/modprobe.d/nvidia.conf']
         self.sanity_patterns = sn.all([
-            sn.assert_found('Profiling application: %s' %
-                            self.target_executable, self.stderr),
+            sn.assert_found(f'Profiling application: {self.target_executable}',
+                            self.stderr),
             sn.assert_found('[CUDA memcpy HtoD]', self.stderr),
             sn.assert_found('[CUDA memcpy DtoH]', self.stderr),
             sn.assert_found(r'\s+100(\s+\S+){3}\s+jacobi_kernel', self.stderr),