WASHINGTON, DC — Announced at the recent Earth Technologies Forum is a new partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy on “Responsible Use Principles for Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).”

“A commitment to responsible use of HFCs by diverse global partners will help protect the climate by reducing emissions and the impact that HFCs have on the environment,” stated Sally Rand, director of Voluntary High GWP (Global Warming Potential) Industry Partnerships of the EPA.

The principles of the responsible use program include:

  • Select HFCs for applications where they provide health and safety, environmental, technical, economic, or unique societal benefits;

  • Minimize HFC emissions to the lowest practical level during chemical manufacture and during use and disposal of equipment using cost-effective technology;

  • Engineer, operate, and maintain HFC-based systems to minimize emissions and maximize energy efficiency; and

  • Recover, recycle, reclaim, and/or destroy used HFCs where technically and economically feasible.

    Dave Stirpe, executive director of the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, said, “HFCs are energy efficient, cost effective, and can be used safely. Governments and industry support their global use in applications that meet important environmental and societal needs. Limiting HFC emissions will provide for their long-term use.”

    Governments, associations, and organizations wishing to join the partnership should contact the EPA (www.epa.gov), United Nations Environment Programme (www.unep.org), or Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy (www.arap.org) by July 1, 2002.

    Publication date: 05/06/2002