The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented the next stage of the HFC phase out enacted by the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. The start of 2023 prompted the phase out of commonly used HFC refrigerants including the following mixtures: R-410A, R-404A, and R-507. This phase out will impact industries and households that currently use these refrigerant mixtures for refrigeration and freezer units, HVAC units, and in transportation. The AIM Act pushes for the adoption of lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants and the eventual removal of high GWP refrigerants from systems, while also incentivizing reclamation and recycling of older refrigerants.
Timeline of Refrigerant Usage and Legislation
2023: The EPA announced funds for the HFC Reclaim and Innovation Destruction Grants to promote project development towards HFC reclaim and destruction technologies
2023: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed updates to the AIM Act propelling the phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
2021: The Final Rule, under the AIM Act, was issued creating regulations to mandate the phasedown of HFCs by 85% before 2036
2020: American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act was passed in the United States. This required production and consumption of HFCs to decrease by 85% before 2036
2016: Kigali Amendment was added to the Montreal Protocol due to the high global warming potential (GWP) of HFCs
1990: The Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) added a new amendment to the Clean Air Act to further control the phase out of high ozone depleting (ODP) chemicals
1990s: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), with zero ODP, replaced Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and HFCs
1987: The Montreal Protocol Act was signed to phase out the productions and usage of CFCs and HFCs
1970s: Concern over ozone-depleting properties prompted The Clean Air Act in the United States
1930s: CFCs and HCFCs grew in popularity for being used as refrigerants
1920s: Thomas Midgely Jr. First developed and introduced CFCs and HCFCs