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

US industry presses Senate on Kigali ratification

USA: The US Chamber of Commerce, backed by nine other industry bodies, has sent a letter to members of the Senate, urging “expeditious” ratification of the Kigali Amendment.

While 137 signatories of the Montreal Protocol have already ratified the Amendment to phase down HFC refrigerants, the world’s largest economy is yet to ratify, despite being approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in May. 

The signatories to the letter, dated September 7, urge the expeditious ratification of the Amendment during the current congress, which ends on January 3, 2023.

The industry bodies, which include the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)`and Heating, Air conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), insist that the Kigali Amendment is “essential to provide access to international markets and level the playing field for leading US manufacturers”.  

“The US would join the global community and reap the full economic and environmental benefits associated with phasing down the production and use of HFCs,” the letter states.

“Ratification would safeguard the competitiveness of American manufacturers and showcase American climate leadership. The Kigali Amendment would enhance the significant economic opportunities created by the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act,” it insists.

The signatories of the letter are: 

Alliance for Automotive Innovation
Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy
American Chemistry Council
Air conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Heating, Air conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International
National Association of Manufacturers
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association
Semiconductor Industry Association
US Chamber of Commerce.

Related stories:

US industry urges prompt action on Kigali19 June 2022
USA: The AHRI and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy have written a joint letter to the leaders of the US Senate urging prompt action to ratify the Kigali Amendment. Read more…

Senate committee nod for Kigali Amendment – 6 May 2022
USA: Industry groups have applauded Wednesday’s recommendation by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for approval of the Kigali Amendment by the full US Senate. Read more…

Bipartisan backing for Kigali Amendment – 29 April 2022
USA: A bipartisan group of seven US senators have written to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to encourage ratification of the Kigali Amendment to phase down HFCs. Read more…

Latest News

8th September 2026

Trane R454B chillers give hospital a lift

UK: Yorkshire-based contractor Newsome has replaced two ageing rooftop chillers with units using R454B refrigerant to serve the main air handling unit cooling circuit at a hospital in York.
8th September 2026

Solstice launches R1234yf car AC retrofit kit

BELGIUM: Solstice has announced the launch of its R1234yf vehicle air conditioning system retrofit kit, enabling the conversion of existing R134a vehicle systems to the low GWP alternative.
7th September 2026

HPA UK partners with Heat Network Scotland

UK: Heat Pump Association UK has announced a new reciprocal membership partnership with Heat Network Scotland.
7th September 2026

Compact two-stage CO2 compressor

ITALY: Frascold’s new range of two-stage CO2 piston compressors are said to aimed at the evolution of commercial refrigeration towards increasingly compact solutions.
6th September 2026

Frascold adds semi-hermetic ammonia compressor

ITALY: Compressor manufacturer Frascold has announced the launch of a new semi-hermetic ammonia compressor.
6th September 2026

Daikin issues second Amana recall

USA/CANADA: Daikin Comfort Technologies has issued a further recall of certain models in its Amana range of window and through-the-wall air conditioners due to risk of serious injury from fire.