Refrigeration/AC

Related Industries:

This rule mainly applies to those individuals involved in the service, maintenance, and repair of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment industries. It also applies to those individuals involved in the disposal of any air conditioning and refrigeration equipment including the disposal of motor vehicle air conditioners.

Regulations in a Nutshell:

• Effective July 1, 1992, section 608 of the CAAA (1990) prohibits any individual from knowingly venting ozone depleting compounds, used as refrigerants, into the atmosphere while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air conditioning or refrigeration equipment.
• The rule requires that technicians follow service practices that maximize recycling of refrigerants during the servicing and disposal of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
• It sets certification requirements for recycling and recovery equipment, technicians, and reclaimers. It restricts the sale of refrigerant to certified technicians.
• It requires the repair of substantial leaks in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment with a charge of greater than 50 pounds of refrigerant. It establishes safe disposal requirements to ensure removal of refrigerants from goods that enter the waste stream with the charge intact.
• For ammonia based refrigeration systems, if ammonia quantity equals or exceeds threshold value, compliance with Risk Management Program Rule is required.  See 40 CFR 68.

Final Rule:

• See Fact Sheets / Final Rules
• 40 CFR Part 82, Protection of Stratospheric Ozone; Refrigerant Recycling; Final Rule published on Friday, May 14, 1993 (58FR28660)

Reporting and Recordkeeping:

• Technicians must keep a copy of proof of certification at their place of business. They must also provide an invoice to their customer showing refrigerant added (if appliance > 50lb charge).
• Owners of recovery or recycling equipment must submit a recycling device acquisition certification form to EPA by August 12, 1993.
• Refrigerant reclaimers must maintain records of names and addresses of people sending them refrigerant and how much. The must maintain records of the mass of refrigerant reclaimed and the mass of waste products generated. They must report this annually to the EPA.
• Owners of equipment that contains a greater than 50 lb charge must keep servicing records documenting the date and type of service and the amount of refrigerant added.
• Wholesalers of refrigerants must retain invoices that indicate the name of the purchaser, the date of sale and the quantity of refrigerant purchased.
• "Final link" in the disposal chain must maintain records of signed statements indicating that all refrigerants have been recovered, prior to final disposal, in accordance with procedures. Records must include name and address of person who recovered refrigerant and the date refrigerant was recovered.
   

Reporting Form:

See EPA Stratospheric Ozone Website and Hotline:http://www.epa.gov/ozone/
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/desc.html
1-800-296-1996