Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA’s mandate includes many environmental issues that affect the appliance industry, including the study of climate change.

EPA is proposing to ban the sale or distribution of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances containing HCFC-22, HCFC-142b, or blends containing one or both of these substances, beginning January 1, 2010.  In addition, EPA is proposing to extend these requirements to air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances that are suitable only for use with newly produced HCFC-22, HCFC-142b, or blends containing one or both of these controlled substances as the refrigerant, and pre-charged appliance parts.

EPA has also issued a proposed rule to require reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy.  According to EPA, the proposed rule requires only that sources above certain threshold levels monitor and report emissions.  Under the proposed rule, companies that import pre-charged home appliances containing HFCs would not be required to report.  EPA is requesting comment on this issue.