World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

$100K penalty for selling hydrocarbons

42293806_sUSA: A Wichita-based company is set to pay a $100,000 civil penalty for marketing and selling hydrocarbon refrigerants in contravention of the Clean Air Act.

A proposed consent decree has been lodged with the Kansas District Court on behalf of the US EPA against Northcutt Inc alleging that Northcutt introduced substitutes for ozone-depleting substances onto the US market, while failing to comply with the CAA’s SNAP requirements.

The consent decree requires Northcutt to discontinue domestic marketing and sales of the substitutes, pay a $100,000 civil penalty and send a warning letter to past domestic purchasers of the substitutes.

In the US, a consent decree is an agreement or settlement to resolve a dispute between two parties without admission of liability.

In a Finding of Violation (FOV) letter sent to Northcutt on June 26, 2014, the EPA alleges that between March 2010 to on or around January 28, 2015, Northcutt marketed, sold and distributed flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants HC-12a, HC-22a and HC-502a for use in residential and commercial air cooling systems. They were designed as replacements for the ozone-depleting CFCs R12 and R502 and the HCFC R22.

The EPA maintains that neither HC-22a or HC-502a are approved as ODS substitutes under the SNAP programme and HC-12a is only approved as an ODS substitute in industrial processing.

According to the EPA, Northcutt stopped all sales of the refrigerants in the United States on or around January 28, 2015. The company continues to market, sell, and distribute each of the three products outside of the United States.

Northcutt has denied, and continues to deny, all the alleged violations.

Related stories:

Hydrocarbon refrigerant seller hit for $300K – May 14, 2015
USA: A US company has agreed to cease sales of unapproved hydrocarbon refrigerants and pay a $300,000 civil penalty. Read more…

EPA to adopt five flammable refrigerants – March 2, 2015
USA: The EPA is about to publish its final rule allowing five flammable refrigerants to be used in certain refrigeration and air conditioning applications. Read more…

EPA proposes approval of hydrocarbons – June 27, 2014
USA:  The US Environmental Protection Agency has proposed four hydrocarbon refrigerants be approved for use in six refrigeration and air conditioning applications. Read more…

Latest News

28th March 2024

Hudson warns of unsafe US recovery cylinders

USA: The US refrigerant supplier and reclaimer Hudson Technologies has warned of illegal and unsafe recovery cylinders entering the US market.
28th March 2024

Topical talks at Bath breakfast meeting

UK: The next South West South Wales Refrigeration Society breakfast briefing will feature talks from three experienced and knowledgable speakers on varied refrigeration and air conditioning topics.
28th March 2024

CO2 compressor for multiple applications

ITALY: Frascold’s new TK HD series transcritical CO2 compressors are designed for a wide range of refrigeration and air conditioning applications, as well as high-temperature heat pumps up to 100°C.
28th March 2024

Copeland releases 50hp scroll in Asia

CHINA: US compressor manufacturer Copeland is to launch a 50hp scroll for heat pump OEMs in Asia.
27th March 2024

Daikin redesigns Perfera R32 air conditioner

BELGIUM: Daikin Europe has announced a next generation All Seasons Perfera R32 air conditioner with redesigned indoor and outdoor units, making them easy to install and use.
27th March 2024

Press fittings go large

UK: Conex Bänninger has expanded its >B< MaxiPro range of press fittings with the addition of a 1⅝in fitting.