## Phaseout of HCFCs Through the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the U.S. has committed to a collaborative international effort to end use of ozone-depleting substances. The U.S. phased out CFCs and halons in the mid 1990s. EPA is currently in the process of reducing HCFC production and import. The schedule to phase out HCFCs follows: 

## January 1, 2010 Banned production, import, and use of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b, except for continuing servicing needs of existing equipment, achieving 75% of reduction goal. 

## January 1, 2015 Ban on production, import, and use of all HCFCs, except for continuing servicing needs of refrigeration equipment, achieving 90% of reduction goal. 

## January 1, 2020 No production or imports of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b, achieving 99.5% of reduction goal. 

## January 1, 2030 Ban on remaining production and import of HCFCs, resulting in complete HCFC phase out. 

## Importance of Protecting the Ozone Layer The stratospheric ozone layer shields the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Emissions of certain synthetic chemicals – including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) – that are commonly used as refrigerants, solvents, and insulating foams destroy the ozone layer and have created an “ozone hole” over the South Pole.
In addition, many of these ozone-depleting substances (ODS), as well as their substitutes, are greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. The purpose of this fact sheet is to help you understand requirements under the National Recycling and Emission Reduction Program.


## National Recycling and Emission Reduction Program The Clean Air Act (CAA) defines EPA’s responsibilities for protecting and improving the nation’s air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer. Section 608 establishes the National Recycling and Emission Reduction Program.
The purpose of this program is to:
• Prohibit the release of CFCs, HCFCs, their blends, and substitute refrigerants during service, maintenance and repairs, and at end of life.
• Reduce the use and emission of CFCs and HCFCs. • Maximize the recapture and recycling of CFCs and HCFCs. • Ensure the safe disposal of CFCs, HCFCs, and their blends.


## Prohibition on Venting Section 608 prohibits individuals from intentionally venting ODS refrigerants (including CFCs and HCFCs) and their substitutes (suchas HFCs), while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of airconditioning or refrigeration equipment. 

# Section 608 of the Clean Air Act: Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

## Enforcement EPA performs random inspections, responds to tips, and pursues potential cases against violators of the Section 608 regulations. EPA is authorized to assess fines of up to $37,500 per day for any violation of these regulations. REFRIGERANT RECOVERY AND RECYCLING EQUIPMENT Equipment must be c e rtified by an EPA-app r oved testing o r ganization to meet spe c ifi c EPA r equi r ements fo r r ef r ige r ant r e c ove ry effi c ien c y

REFRIGERANT LEAKS Indust r ial and c omme rc ial r ef r ige r ation equipment and c omfo rt c ooling equipment a r e subje c t to spe c ifi c EPA r equi r ements fo rleak r epai r SERVICE PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS Te c hni c ians must eva c uate ai r
- c onditioning and r ef r ige r ation equipment to established va c uum levels du r ing se rvi c ing and disposal TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION Te c hni c ians se rvi c ing ai r
- c onditioning

and r ef r ige r ation equipment must meet EPA c e rtifi c ation cr ite r ia by passing an EPA-app r oved examination

REFRIGERANT SALES RESTRICTIONS S ale of OD S r ef r ige r ants is r est r i c ted to c e rtified te c hni c ians MAJOR RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS S e rvi c e te c hni c ians, owne r s, and ope r ato rs of la r ge r ef r ige r ation and ai r
- c onditioning equipment, r ef r ige r ant wholesale r s, and EPA- c e rtified r ef r ige r ant r e c laime rs a r e r equi r ed to maintain r e c o r ds do c umenting dates, r ef r ige r ant c ha r ge amounts, and r elated info r mation fo r equipment se rvi c ing and disposal SAFE DISPOSAL REQUIREMENTS When r ef r ige r ation and ai r
- c onditioning equipment ente rs the waste st r eam, the final pe rson in the disposal c hain

must r emove (o rmake c e rtain

that thei r c ustome rs have

r emoved) r ef r ige r ants

p r io rto applian c e disposal RECLAMATION Befo r e r e c ove r ed r ef r ige r ant c an c hange

owne rship, it must be r e c laimed to vi r gin spe c ifi c ations by a r e c laime r that meets EPA c e rtifi c ation r equi r ements 

# Section 608 Regulato ry Requi rements Section 608 Regulatory Requirements: Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Additional Resources EPA Ozone Layer Protection Website: epa.gov/ozone/strathome.html EPA Section 608 Website: epa.gov/ozone/title6/608/ EPA Enforcement Website: epa.gov/ozone/enforce/ EPA Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances Website: epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/ EPA Responsible Appliance Disposal Website: epa.gov/ozone/partnerships/rad/ EPA GreenChill Website: epa.gov/greenchill/

EPA 430-F-10-040 

### EPA Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline: 1-800-296-1996