Regulation & Standards

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment by developing and enforcing regulations, conducting and funding research, and raising public awareness of relevant issues.

Air
Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA sets limits on certain air pollutants; including setting limits on how much can be in the air anywhere in the United States. The Clean Air Act also gives EPA the authority to limit emissions of air pollutants coming from sources like chemical plants, utilities, and steel mills. Individual states or tribes may have stronger air pollution laws, but they may not have weaker pollution limits than those set by EPA.

Ozone Layer Protection
Under Title VI of the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA is responsible for programs that protect the stratospheric ozone layer and ensure that the United States’ commitment to implementing the Montreal Protocol.

• Laws and Regulations:Ozone Layer Protection: Regulatory Programs: Information about the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), stationary refrigeration and air conditioning, motor vehicle air conditioning, the Montreal Protocol, and more.
  • Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances
  • Transition to Alternatives – The SNAP Program
• Compliance
  • Section 608 Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Program
    • Managing Refrigeration and A/C Equipment
      • Venting Prohibition
      • Service Practice Requirements
      • Leak Repair
      • Technician Certification
      • Refrigerant Sales and Distribution
      • Refrigerant Reclamation
      • Safe Disposal
      • Recovery Equipment Certification
      • Recordkeeping
    • Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirements for Refrigerants
      • Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirements for Refrigerants
    • Section 608 Technician Certification
      • Types of Technician Certification
      • Technician Certification Test Topics
      • Section 608 Technician Certification Programs
      • Steps For Replacing a Lost Section 608 Technician Certification Card
      • Resources for Stationary Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Equipment Technicians
  • Importing Bulk Ozone Depleting Substances
  • Stratospheric Ozone Including CFCs Compliance Monitoring
• Enforcement:
  • Enforcement Actions Under Title VI of the Clean Air Act
• Pending Regulation:
  • Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol for the phaseout of HFC refrigerants

 

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Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC is an independent agency that prevents anticompetitive or unfair business practices while raising public awareness of consumer choices and the competitive process. In addition, it works to ensure that published rules and regulations do not place undue burden on businesses that might hamper the nation’s competitive environment.

 

Related Department of Commerce Rulings:

• Antidumping Duty for HFC Blends from People’s Republic of China (doc)
• Antidumping Duty for R134a from People’s Republic of China (doc)

 

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Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)

AHRI’s 315 member companies manufacture quality, efficient, and innovative residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment and components for sale in North America and around the world, and account for more than 90 percent of HVACR and water heating residential and commercial equipment manufactured and sold in North America.

AHRI advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government, working to ensure that members’ interests are included in final drafts of legislation. We also have a certification program that is relied heavily upon by regulators for accurate and unbiased evaluation of heating, water heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and commercial refrigeration equipment. Lastly, AHRI develops industry-recognized performance standards for industry equipment. These three tiers are at AHRI’s core.

• 2017 Specifications for Refrigerants (doc)
• 2016 Content Recovery & Proper Recycling of Refrigerant Cylinders (doc)
• 2016 Assignment of Refrigerant Container Colors with Addendum for 2020 Universal Color Change (doc)
• 2015 Containers for Recovered Non-flammable Fluorocarbon Refrigerants (doc)

 

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American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

Founded in 1894, is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today. ASHRAE was formed as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers by the merger in 1959 of American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) founded in 1894 and The American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE) founded in 1904.

• Refrigerant Designations