Proposed New Refrigerant Management Requirements Under the Clean Air Act [US]

On November 9th, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new refrigerant requirements under the Clean Air Act to revise 40 CFR Part 82, which regulates facilities that operate refrigeration and air-conditioning appliances and refrigerants.

The EPA is proposing to extend the existing requirements that currently apply to ozone-depleting substance (ODS) refrigerants and non-ozone-depleting substitute refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The new rules would also update leak repair and equipment inspection requirements, amend the refrigeration technician certification program and make technical and restructuring changes to 40 CFR Part 82.

The EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed rule until January 8th, 2016 on the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 

If any member of the public requests a hearing on the proposed rule by November 16th, 2015, the hearing will be held on November 24th, 2015 at EPA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Red-on-line EHS Legalist

Sources:

Proposed Rule: Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Update to the Refrigerant Management Requirements Under the Clean Air Act, Federal Register, 80 FR 69457, November 9th, 2015.

Sharon Montazeri, U.S. EPA Announces New Refrigerant Management Regulations and Additional Restrictions on HFC’s, Red-on-line USA, October 16th, 2015.  

40 CFR Part 82  

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