US EPA could allow DIYers to buy HFCs

WHILE Australian refrigerant controls go from strength to strength, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investigating the potential elimination of requirements for people purchasing or handling refrigerants to hold Section 608 certification.

The EPA has also proposed the legalisation of top-ups with HFCs by removing the leak repair requirement on certain systems that use non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.

It all stems from a successful court case initiated by refrigerant manufacturers Mexichem and Arkema interpretation that some HFC controls, introduced under President Obama, fell outside the EPA’s jurisdiction within the Clean Air Act.

Under President Trump, the EPA has rolled back prohibitions on HFC refrigerant use, attracting legal action from refrigerant manufacturers and numerous US states.