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IIAR Seeks to Streamline U.S. Safety Rules for Ammonia Refrigeration
A task force has begun discussion with EPA about eliminating regulatory overlap with OSHA and deferring to IIAR standards, among other changes.
NRDC Outlines Case Against Revision of EPA’s Technology Transitions Rule
The NGO is part of a consolidated lawsuit challenging delays in low-GWP-refrigerant requirements.
U.S. State Attorneys General Challenge EPA’s Revision of Technology Transitions Rule
Eighteen states and two localities follow trade groups in asking courts to reverse delays in lowering allowable GWP of refrigerants in commercial and industrial refrigeration.
U.S. EPA Proposes Monitoring TFA in Drinking Water
TFA, an HFO byproduct, is among 30 chemicals under review; the agency is holding webinars on the topic on August 11 and 12, with written feedback due August 31.
European Food Safety Authority Lowers Values for Safe Consumption of TFA
Intended to support consumer protection regulations, EFSA’s updated ADI and ARfD values are based on recent animal studies that showed TFA reducing levels of a thyroid hormone.
Weekly Wrap-up: A GEA 2.4MW Ammonia Cold Storage Facility, Intellihot Gets Acquired, France Permits Propane AC in High-Rises and More
In addition to what we published this week, these stories caught our eye.
ATMO America: New York Environmental Agency Declares Support for Natural Refrigerants
Suzanne Hagell of the NYSDEC explains how natural refrigerant-based systems help the state achieve the HFC-reduction goals it established in its updated regulations.
EIA Urges U.K. to Adopt National Cooling Plan that Includes Natural Refrigerants
In the wake of heat waves, the NGO supports the adoption of passive cooling and energy-efficient air-conditioning that use refrigerants like propane rather than HFCs and HFOs.
ATMO America: IIAR Updating CO2 Safety Standard to Address High-Pressure Issues
New Addendum A helps to calculate minimum discharge capacity for relief valves; IIAR research committee is looking at pressure-discharge piping and low-side pressure.
Singapore Sets a GWP 150 Limit for New Supermarket Refrigeration and MAC Systems
The new regulation goes into effect July 2027 for supermarkets and July 2028 for vehicles.
AHRI and Other Trade Groups Challenge U.S. EPA’s Reconsideration of Technology Transitions Rule
The Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, HARDI, PHCC and ACCA also oppose extension of deadlines for commercial refrigeration applications to switch to lower-GWP refrigerants.
U.K. Government Delays HFC Phasedown Reform
For 2027 the original 24% phase-down step will apply, based on the country’s 2015 HFC production and import baseline.
U.S. EPA Announces Final Revision of Technology Transitions Rule, Delaying Use of Low-GWP Refrigerants
The agency also proposes an exemption to leak repair requirements for transport refrigeration units.
Ghana’s New ‘Green’ Labels Identify Natural Refrigerant Cooling Equipment
The voluntary labels mark R290 air conditioners and domestic and commercial R600a/R290 refrigerators/freezers.
Democrats Propose PFAS Legislation in U.S. Congress That Would Include F-Gases and TFA
McCollum in the House and Durbin in the Senate introduce bill that defines PFAS as having one fully fluorinated carbon atom, changing EPA’s definition.
New York Bills Attempt to Roll Back State HFC Rules to Align with the U.S. AIM Act
Claiming the HFC regulations drive higher costs, the bills follow a lawsuit by trade groups that would eliminate the regulations altogether.
France to Ban Gas Boilers in All New Buildings Starting in 2027
The ban extends France’s existing ban on gas boilers in homes to commercial buildings.
Chile Issues Public Call for Information as Part of the Development of Its New HFC Standard
The Ministry of the Environment is accepting submissions via email until May 16, 2026.
ECHA Launches Consultation on SEAC’s Draft Opinion on PFAS
The European Chemicals Agency has invited stakeholders to comment until May 25 on the draft opinion of its SEAC Committee on the proposed restriction of PFAS, including f-gases.
With Malta’s Ratification, All 27 EU Countries Are Now Party to the Kigali Amendment
In 2025, Malta and eight other countries, including Saudi Arabia, ratified the global agreement to phase down HFCs.
Monitoring of PFAS, Including TFA, Begins Under EU Drinking Water Directive
As of January 12, member states must measure either total PFAS, including TFA, or the sum of 20 PFAS, with limits of 0.5mcg/L and 0.1mcg/L, respectively.
U.S. EPA Says Enforcement of January 2026 Deadlines for Technology Transitions Rule ‘a Low Priority’
January 1 deadlines addressed by reconsideration of the rule apply to 150/300 GWP limits for cold storage and remote condensing units and to HVAC installation.
New York Supreme Court Rules Against Challenge to HFC Regulations
The AHRI and HARDI may appeal the ruling, which maintains New York’s aggressive restrictions on the HFC refrigerants.
Brazil HVAC&R Association Presents Proposed Strategy for First Phase of National HFC Reduction Program
The first phase of the program targets a 10% reduction in HFC consumption by 2029 with several policy measures, including natural refrigerant training.
ATMO Europe: Taking a Stand on PFAS
Coop Denmark, led by chemical strategy manager Malene Teller Blume, decided to eliminate PFAS in its products years before other companies and policymakers acted.
EU/Swiss Proposal on Reducing Emissions of Ozone-Depleting Feedstocks Blocked at MOP37
Saudi Arabia, India, the U.S. and Australia opposed a plan to cut emissions of feedstocks like HCFC-22 and carbon tetrachloride used in the production of HFOs, report environmental groups.
U.K. Government Asks for Input on Revised HFC Phase-Down Regulation
The proposal adjusts the schedule starting in 2027 and extends the end target from a 79% reduction by 2030 to a 98.6% reduction by 2048.
U.S. EPA Proposes New SNAP Rule Supporting Hydrocarbons in HVAC
Proposed Rule 27 includes an option for accepting refrigerants based on certification by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.
Pesticides NGO Disputes Chemical Companies’ Interpretation of TFA Toxicity Studies
PAN Europe report says companies’ TFA Task Force downplayed the results of animal studies and recommended overly high TFA water limits to EU regulators.
EIA Report Supports Full Harmonization of Flammable HVAC Refrigerant Standards in U.S. with Global Standard
The current partial harmonization proposals and research considering expanded hydrocarbon charge sizes leave many current HVAC system types not yet addressed, says the EIA.
More Regulation of F-Gases May Be Needed Because of TFA Link, Says ECHA’s Updated PFAS Proposal
Existing legislation, which focuses on GWP, does not address the risks associated with f-gases’ very persistent degradation product.
ECHA’s Updated PFAS Proposal Retains Most Restrictions on PFAS Refrigerants
Many HVAC&R applications keep their original exemption period though MAC is given longer exemptions as ECHA evaluation continues.
California Seeks Proposals for Risk Assessment of Residential A3 Heat Pumps
Coordinated by NASRC, the FRIP-funded project to update North American standards requires proposals from subcontractors by October 3.
Illinois and New Mexico Exclude F-Gas Refrigerants from PFAS Laws
Though they define these refrigerants as PFAS, the states exempt those that are EPA-approved, contrary to PFAS bills in Maine and Minnesota.
U.S. Federal Court Upholds HFC Reduction Under AIM Act
The ruling rejected efforts by Choice Refrigerants and IGas to stop the EPA from reducing production and imports of HFCs by 40% between 2024 and 2028.
The Move to −15°C Coalition Expands Membership Fivefold in Bid to Improve Cold Chain
The Coalition believes raising the raising the standard frozen-food set point by three degrees centigrade would have huge environmental benefits.
China Sets a GWP Limit of 150 for MAC Systems in New Cars
The regulation goes into effect July 1, 2029, with the government stating it will also ‘encourage the research and application of natural refrigerant alternatives in EV thermal systems.’
The EU, Norway Urge Precautionary Approach to TFA at 47th OEWG
The prevalence of HFO byproduct TFA in the environment and its potential toxicity belie a new report by the Montreal Protocol’s TEAP that TFA poses little risk, the delegates say.
The EU Calls PFAS and ‘Leapfrogging to Natural Refrigerants’ Priorities for a Contact Group Discussion at the 47th OEWG
The comments were made by a representative from Denmark, who was speaking on behalf of the bloc.
ATMOsphere to Host Side Event on PFAS-Free Cooling and Heating at 47th OEWG in Bangkok
The event will feature speakers from ATMOsphere, the Coalition for PFAS-Free Cooling & Heating and the Environmental Investigation Agency.
IIAR Asks U.S. EPA to Maintain 150 GWP Limit for Cold Storage
The trade group’s letter challenges an EPA petition by a group requesting that the GWP limit be raised to 700 to allow for R513A; additional comments are due July 16.
U.K. Government Hints at an Accelerated HFC Phase Down
The updated national f-gas regulation could also include new bans according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Washington State Enhances Its HFC-Reduction Regulations
New law prohibits sales of new high-GWP HFCs in 2030 and forms a refrigerant transition task force.
Germany’s Linkage of TFA to Reproductive Toxicity Officially Submitted to EU
The submission includes the public release of two 105-page dossiers detailing Germany’s assessment of TFA, an f-gas by-product, with a call for stakeholder comment.
Minnesota Starts Toxicity Review of TFA, an HFO By-Product
The state’s Department of Health invites interested parties to share information on TFA toxicity studies.
U.S. Trade Groups File Lawsuit Against New York Over New HFC Regulations
AHRI and HARDI claim amended Part 494 regulations are too burdensome on industry.
Governors Push Back Against Trump Order Targeting State Climate Regulations
The governors of California and New York ¬– which have enacted ambitious HFC rules – defended states’ rights to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Coalition for PFAS-Free Cooling & Heating Event to Examine TFA as a Growing Environmental Threat
The online event, taking place April 24, is the second in a three-part series hosted by the Coalition.
Canada Seeks More Feedback on PFAS, Including F-Gases
The deadline for comments on the ‘Risk Management Approach’ to PFAS as a class is May 7.
California Introduces PFAS Bill That Includes Bans of F-Gas Refrigerants
The bill would be one of the most aggressive PFAS regulations in the U.S., prohibiting most uses of refrigerants considered PFAS by 2033.