EPA regulations include equipment certification requirements, maintenance and service practices, refrigerant reclaiming requirements, training, and record keeping on the purchase, use, sale, and transfer, and disposal of these substances. This act will extend regulations to the new substitutes including HFC and PFC refrigerants, including HFC 134a. By establishing requirements regarding the maintenance, service, repair, and disposal of appliances containing HFC and PFC refrigerants, EPA believes that this rule will help to minimize any environmental harm that might result from the transition away from ozone-depleting chemicals including increased global warming. EPA believes that the establishment of a consistent regulatory framework will also facilitate compliance with Section 608 by simplifying and clarifying regulatory requirements. This means that virtually all commonly used commercial refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration, other than ammonia, are, or soon will be, regulated substances.
Intentional violations can result in criminal penalties of up to five years imprisonment.
Submission of false or misleading information, or failure to submit required records can result in criminal penalties, including two years imprisonment. In addition, other factors not directly related to the violation can affect the penalty assessment. Unannounced inspections can be and are conducted routinely by the EPA to evaluate compliance and also to respond to violation reports. In one case, a citizen's videotape of a contractor venting refrigerants was used as evidence. Develop an EPA Refrigerant Regulations Compliance Program Developing and implementing an EPA Refrigerant Regulations Compliance Program is vital to every affected organization to insure successful compliance.