AHRI seeks review of EPA refrigerant rule
1st July 2026
USA: The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has accused the US EPA of “a lack of proper procedure” in its recent decision to roll back parts of the AIM Act.
The decision by US Environmental Protection Agency in May rolls back the maximum 150 GWP limit for refrigerant in retail refrigeration equipment, which was due to be introduced on January 1 2027, to 2032.
The AHRI has filed a petition for judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit arguing that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not follow required procedures in developing the Technology Transitions Reconsideration Final Rule, 91 Fed Reg 31,284, issued on May 26, 2026.
Representing the manufacturers, the AHRI has stressed that its opposition to the rule is centred primarily on the EPA’s lack of proper procedure in the rule’s formulation, arguing that it could set a potentially harmful precedent for future federal rule makings.
The groups representing US contractors have also challenged the rule, claiming that the amended provisions violate the AIM Act and threaten to destabilise the refrigerant market.
“While AHRI and its member companies respect and agree with the Trump Administration’s goal of reducing economic burden and increasing consumer affordability, we take issue with the way this rule was developed. The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act established specific criteria for rulemakings related to its implementation,” said AHRI president and CEO Stephen Yurek. “Those include proper economic analysis and a compliance lead time of at least one year. Neither of those criteria were followed in this case,” he added.
The AHRI and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy noted the considerable efforts that manufacturers had made in preparing for an efficient transition to lower-GWP refrigerants.
“The AIM Act and its original implementing regulations created an efficient and cost-effective structure for the phase down of HFC refrigerants,” said Alliance executive director John Hurst. “Our members made considerable investments in research and development, equipment production, and training to ensure a rational, efficient, economical transition that created market certainty for years to come.”
Related stories:
US contractors challenge EPA’s HFC ruling – 25th June 2026
USA: HVAC contractor organisations have challenged the US EPA’s technology transitions reconsideration rule, claiming that it’s legally flawed, economically reckless, and directly at odds with the AIM Act. Read more…
US EPA condemned for “reckless” act – 21 May 2026
USA: HVACR equipment manufacturers and environmental groups have both condemned today’s announcement by the US EPA to roll-back refrigerant transition deadlines on supermarket refrigeration equipment. Read more…
States oppose proposals to weaken AIM Act – 26 November 2025
USA: A multi-state coalition of 19 attorney generals are amongst those supporting a comment letter opposing the US EPA’s proposals to weaken rules to phase down the use of HFCs. Read more…
