National Refrigerant Recycling and Emissions Reduction Program (Renewal)

Section 608 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), also known as the National Recycling and Emission Reduction Program (the Program), directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue regulations governing the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances. Section 608 also prohibits knowingly venting or releasing ozone-depleting and substitute refrigerants in the course of maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of appliances or industrial process refrigeration except for de minimis releases associated with good faith attempts to recycle or recover refrigerants. The regulations require persons servicing refrigeration and air-conditioning appliances to follow certain service practices that reduce emissions of refrigerants. The regulations also establish certification programs for technicians, recovery/recycling equipment, and refrigerant reclamation. In addition, EPA requires that refrigerants contained in appliances be removed prior to disposal of the appliances and that all refrigeration and air-conditioning appliances be provided with a servicing aperture that facilitates recovery of the refrigerant. The Agency requires that substantial refrigerant leaks in appliances containing ozone-depleting refrigerant be repaired when they are discovered.

The latest form for National Refrigerant Recycling and Emissions Reduction Program (Renewal) expires 2027-09-30 and can be found here.