Author: Brad Kivlan

Well the final ruling is out… In essence, this ruling creates a phaseout schedule for HFC’s and HCFC & HFC Blends for use in automotive air conditioning, retail food refrigeration, supermarket systems and vending machines.  It is helpful to distributors and service technicians to be aware of the longevity of the refrigerants that they currently use or are considering.

This ruling has no effect on the residential or commercial air conditioning market.

Summary from the PDF document on the Final Rule;

What?

• Changes the status of certain HFCs now that safer alternatives are available

Which industrial sectors are included?

• Aerosols
• Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
• Foam Blowing

Who is affected?

Chemical producers and some manufacturers of equipment and products using aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and foam blowing agents

When?

• Starting in January 2016; see table for dates for all affected end-uses

“This report summarizes progress achieved to date in the CCWG, the premier mechanism for facilitating constructive U.S.-China cooperation and dialogue on climate change. Launched in April 2013, the CCWG has grown to include eight action initiatives covering major sectors of the economy. Five action initiatives were launched in 2013: Heavy-Duty and Other Vehicles; Smart Grids; Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage; Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Industry; and Collecting and Managing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data. Three more were launched in 2014: Climate Change and Forests; Climate-Smart / Low-Carbon Cities; and Industrial Boilers Efficiency and Fuel Switching. These action initiatives, guided by joint implementation plans, are led by interagency actors on both sides, and engage a diverse group of stakeholders including national and sub-national governments, universities, civil society, and the private sector.”

ACTION INITIATIVES

1. Heavy-Duty and Other Vehicles
   
2. Smart Grids
   
3. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
   
4. Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Industry
   
5. Collecting and Managing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data
   
6. Climate Change and Forests
   
7. Climate-Smart / Low-Carbon Cities
   
8. Industrial Boilers Efficiency and Fuel Switching

Here is a link to the full report => Report of the U.S.-China Climate Change Working Group to the 7th Round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue

As of July 1, 2015, new HFC import and use controls are in effect in Venezuela.

• Importers of pure HFCs or blends must have an up-to-date hazardous substances importer’s permit, which is to be renewed annually.
• The rule contains provisions to prevent the refilling of disposable cylinders.
• It requires distributors and servicing contractors to be registered with the named Ministry.  Those entities are required to maintain records of purchases and sales.
• Servicing contractors are required to use proper equipment to recover, recycle and prevent leaks of HFCs and be trained in proper refrigerant management.