The HVACR industry learns the amount of HFCs that can be produced and consumed next year.

This is shaping up to be a pivotal year in terms of refrigerant regulations, and keeping up with the developments will be crucial for HVACR contractors.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) finalized regulations to phase out the use of HFCs and reduce methane emissions.

On Dec. 10, California adopted regulations to phase down the use of HFC refrigerants in commercial and industrial stationary refrigeration units.

The new black market for refrigerants in the EU is not surprising. What may surprise some is that the same problem appears to exist in the U.S.

Comments at the HARDI Fly-In about the reportedly upcoming industry-supported federal HFC phasedown legislation often sounded like Taboo rules.

Those in the HVACR industry can try to keep abreast of the issues through reading industry-related materials, attending conferences and workshops, and seeking out online training options.

Basically, the proposed rule would roll back parts of Section 608 of its Refrigerant Management Regulations as it applies to HFCs.

In October, the Supreme Court decided not to review the case, leaving in place the 2017 ruling, which means for now, the use of high-GWP refrigerants, such as R-404A and R-410A, remains legal.

If finalized as proposed, the revised Refrigerant Management rule would, among other things, rescind the leak repair and maintenance requirements for substitute refrigerants.