“EPA and its law enforcement partners will police our borders and ports to halt HFC smuggling to protect our nation from the harmful effects of climate super pollutants,” said David M. Uhlmann, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. 

EPA’s enforcement office ensures the HFC phasedown rules are being followed and works to maintain a level playing field for regulated companies. The alert highlights EPA’s recent pursuit of entities that sought to unlawfully import HFCs without the required allowances, submitted false or misleading information, or failed to report required information under the AIM Act. 

So far in fiscal year 2024, EPA has completed nine civil settlements to resolve claims of unlawful imports of HFCs. The most recent settlements were against five companies – Clean Venture Inc., HVAC Services, Liferafts Incorporated of Puerto Rico, Little Leaf Farms LLC, and Parker Engineering and Mechanical Inc. Each of these companies imported HFCs without allowances in violation of the AIM Act. The companies will pay a combined total of $115,551 in civil penalties to resolve the alleged violations. In addition, criminal enforcement actions have also been taken in fiscal year 2024. 

EPA encourages the public to report those suspected of illegally importing HFCs to its Report Environmental Violations webpage. Information submitted will be forwarded to EPA environmental enforcement personnel or the appropriate regulatory authority.