According to the EPA it is. The reclaiming process is regulated to meet strict standards for resale. The companies doing the reclaiming, must clean the refrigerant to a point that exceeds ARI-700 purity standards. This standard is the exact same standard that new refrigerant must meet before it can be sold. This process ensures that there is no remaining contaminants in the reclaimed refrigerant. According to one of the largest manufacturer of all refrigerants, there is no difference between virgin refrigerant and reclaimed refrigerant.