EPA is finalizing amendments to existing regulations to implement the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- Allowance Allocation Methodology: The Agency is basing these general pool allocations on entities’ market shares derived from the average of the three highest years of production and consumption, respectively, of regulated substances between 2011 and 2019.
- Consumption Baseline: EPA is amending the consumption baseline from 303,887,017 Metric Tons of Exchange Value Equivalent (MTEVe) to 302,538,316 MTEVe to account for verified revisions from entities for 2011 through 2013 and the Agency’s internal review of baseline calculation methodologies.
- Imports and Allowance Expenditures: EPA is revising existing language to require that allowances be expended at the time of ship berthing for vessel arrivals, border crossing for land arrivals such as trucks, rail, and autos, and first point of terminus in U.S. jurisdiction for arrivals via air.
- Recordkeeping and Reporting: EPA is revising and adding requirements to a variety of recordkeeping and reporting provisions, including provisions to specify that the importer of record or their authorized agent must file the advance notification and quarterly reports.
- Sampling and Testing: EPA is amending requirements related to verifying the composition and specifications of regulated substances offered for sale or distribution.
- Other Revisions: EPA is also finalizing additional regulatory changes based on lessons learned and current practices that have proved useful in implementing the HFC phasedown.
- Starting January 1, 2024, caps on HFC production and import caps will be reduced by 40% from the baseline, a 30% reduction from the 2023 cap.
- Due to the absence of any suitable replacement for R-410A currently available, and with the production of R-410A equipment set to continue in 2024, the availability of R-410A could be limited during 2024 and 2025.
These changes will impact HVAC technicians who work with HFCs. It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest regulations so that you can continue to work safely and compliantly.
For more information on the rule, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcsreduction/regulatory-actions-allowance-allocation-and-reporting.