On December 9th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) On December 9th, released the latest proposed rule under the AIM Act to address the phase down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The rule would restrict the use of certain higher-GWP HFCs in aerosols, foams, and refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump products and equipment. The proposal would prohibit the manufacture and import of products containing restricted HFCs by January 1, 2025, in most cases, and would prohibit the sale, distribution, and export of products containing restricted HFCs by January 1, 2026. Companies that manufacture, import, export, package, sell or otherwise distribute products that use or are intended to use HFCs, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, heat pumps, foams, and aerosols may be impacted by the rule.
The proposed rule includes a list of sectors and associated GWP limits for new refrigeration systems. The limits proposed are similar to those established by the State of California, with most uses of HFCs capped at global warming potential (GWP) levels of 150 or 300, depending on the application. Below are select examples for limits impacting the cold chain industry:
Cold storage warehouse systems with refrigerant charge capacities of 200 pounds or greater – 150 GWP limit
Cold storage warehouse systems with refrigerant charge capacities less than 200 pounds – 300 GWP limit
Cold storage warehouse, high temperature side of cascade system – 300 GWP limit
Transport refrigeration, intermodal containers – 700 GWP limit
The text of the proposed rule can be found HERE. EPA has also developed a Fact Sheet summarizing some of the main provisions. A Final Rule is expected by Fall 2023
