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

Rule change will allow anyone to buy HFCs

USA: The US air conditioning and refrigeration industry has been urged to act over EPA plans to rescind current regulations and allow anyone to purchase refrigerants.

The US EPA has announced its intention to roll back its rules relating to HFC leak checking and is seeking comment on other rules on refrigerant recovery and refrigerant handling, including the removal of sales restrictions from substitute refrigerants. Currently, anyone purchasing or handling refrigerants needs to be a Section 608 certified technician.

“The removal of this sales restriction would enable anyone (do-it-yourselfers “DIY”), to purchase substitute refrigerants,” warns Howard Weiss, executive vice president of training company ESCO.

“This change would be bad for manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors. With easy access to equipment and refrigerants, DIYers will be able to purchase these items from big box retailers and online stores. This action will prove harmful to HVACR supply house and contractor businesses,” Weiss maintains.

The proposed rule change was published in the Federal Register at the beginning of this month, with the 45-day comment period ending on November 15.

“The HVACR industry collaborated with the EPA for two years, to modernise the Section 608 Refrigerant Management Programme,” said Weiss. “While no regulation is perfect, this regulation has always been good for business and the environment, and we should voice our opinions to keep it that way.”

He implores the industry to voice its comments here.

Related stories:

EPA looks to rescind HFC leak controls20 September 2018
USA: The US Environmental Protection Agency is looking to roll back its rules relating to HFC leak checking and is seeking comment on other rules on refrigerant recovery and refrigerant handling. Read more…

Latest News

29th March 2024

BUS applications up 75% in February

UK: Applications for grants under the UK government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) in February were 75% higher than during the same month last year, new statistics reveal.
29th March 2024

EBM-Papst opens new Chinese HQ

CHINA: German fans and motors manufacturer EBM-Papst has established a new 33,000m² local headquarters in China, bringing together the company’s previous four locations in Shanghai.
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.