Revision to the Regulatory Definition of Volatile Organic Compounds
The most recently issued VOC Exemption Rules are listed below, with links to fact sheets and additional information. The complete list, dating back to 1977, is also available, with links to the Federal Register decision notices.
Other information regarding ozone air pollution is also available.
| Date | Description | FR Notice | Docket ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/04/2024 |
Proposed Exclusion of (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (also known as HCFO-1224yd(Z)) EPA is proposing to revise the regulatory definition of volatile organic compounds (VOC) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This action proposes to add (Z)-1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (also known as HCFO-1224yd(Z); CAS number 111512-60-8) to the list of compounds excluded from the regulatory definition on the basis that this compound makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone (O3) formation. See the HCFO-1223yd(Z) fact sheet (pdf) |
89 FR 88940 | EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0295 |
| 02/08/2023 |
Exclusion of trans--1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene (also known as HFO-1336mzz (E)) EPA has added (2E)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene (also known as trans-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene, and HFO-1336mzz(E); CAS number 66711-86-2) to the list of compounds excluded from the regulatory definition volatile organic compounds on the basis that this compound makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone (O3) formation. See the HFO-1336mzz (E) fact sheet (pdf) |
88 FR 8226 | EPA-HQ-OAR-2021-0420 |
| 11/28/2018 |
Exclusion of cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene (HFO-1336mzz-Z) - EPA added HFO-1336mzz-Z to the list of compounds excluded from the regulatory definition of volatile organic compounds or VOC. Evidence shows that HFO 1336mzz-Z is negligibly reactive in forming ground-level ozone. This action will allow states to remove regulatory controls on HFO-1336mzz-Z that are part of State Implementation Plans designed to help meet the ground-level ozone standards. HFO-1336mzz-Z is used in a variety of applications as a replacement for foam expansion or blowing agents. See the HFO-1336mzz-Z fact sheet (pdf) (222 KB). |
83 FR 61127 (pdf) (314 KB) | EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0175 |
| 8/1/2016 |
Exclusion of HFE-347pcf2 - EPA added 1,1,2,2-Tetrafluoro-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy) ethane (also known as HFE-347pcf2; CAS number 406-78-0) to the list of compounds excluded from the regulatory definition of VOC. Evidence shows that HFE-347pcf2 is negligibly reactive in forming ground-level ozone. This action will allow states to remove regulatory controls on HFE-347pcf2 that are part of State Implementation Plans designed to help meet the ground-level ozone standards. HFE-347pcf2 is used in a variety of applications as a replacement for precision cleaning. See the HFE-347pcf2 fact sheet (pdf) (31.6 KB). |
81 FR 50330 (pdf) (293 KB) | EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0041 |
| 2/25/2016 |
Remove Requirements for t-Butyl Acetate (TBAC) - The regulatory definition of VOC excludes t-butyl acetate (also known as tertiary butyl acetate or TBAC; CAS Number: 540-88-5) for purposes of VOC emissions limitations or VOC content requirements on the basis that it makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. This action removed remaining Clean Air Act volatile organic compound (VOC) requirements for TBAC (e.g., recordkeeping, emissions reporting, photochemical dispersion modeling and inventory requirements) related to the use as a VOC. See the TBAC fact sheet (pdf) (49.8 KB). |
81 FR 9339 (pdf) (267 KB) | EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0795 |
| 3/27/2014 | Exclusion of 2-Amino-2-Methyl-1-Propanol - EPA added 2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (also known as AMP, CAS124-68-5) to the list of compounds excluded from the regulatory definition of VOC. Evidence shows that AMP is negligibly reactive in forming ground-level ozone. This action will allow states to remove regulatory controls on AMP that are part of State Implementation Plans designed to help meet the ground-level ozone standards. AMP is used in a variety of applications for pigment dispersion in water-based coatings such as house paints. See the 2-Amino-2-Methyl-1-Propanol fact sheet (pdf) (19.9 KB). |
79 FR 17037 (pdf) (282 KB) 79 FR 17088 (pdf) (233 KB) |
EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0775 |
| 10/22/2013 | Exclusion of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene- EPA added 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (also known as HFO-1234yf, CAS number 754-12-1) to the list of compounds excluded from the regulatory definition of volatile organic compounds or VOC. Evidence shows that HFO-1234yf negligibly reactive in forming ground-level ozone. This action will allow states to remove regulatory controls on HFO-1234yf that are part of State Implementation Plans designed to help meet the ground-level ozone standards. HFO-1234yf is used in a variety of applications such as automobile air conditioners. See the 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene fact sheet (pdf) (19.9 KB). | 78 FR 62451 (pdf) (246 KB) | EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0089 |
| 8/28/2013 | Exclusion of trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene (Solstice 1233zd(E)) - EPA added trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene (also known as Solstice 1233zd(E), CAS number 102687-65-0) to the list of compounds excluded from the regulatory definition of volatile organic compounds or VOC. Evidence shows that Solstice 1233zd(E) is negligibly reactive in forming ground-level ozone. This action will allow states to remove regulatory controls on Solstice 1233zd(E) that are part of State Implementation Plans designed to help meet the ground-level ozone standards. Solstice 1233zd(E) is used in a variety of applications including as a solvent in aerosol and non-aerosol applications, as a blowing agent in insulating foams for refrigerators/freezers and hot water heaters and as a refrigerant in commercial chillers and waste heat recovery (Rankin cycle) systems. | 78 FR 53029 (pdf) (256 KB) | EPA-HQ-OAR-2012-0393 |
| 2/12/2013 | Exclusion of a Group of Four Hydrofluoropolyethers (HFPEs) - EPA added a group of four Hydrofluoropolyethers (HFPEs) to the list of compounds excluded from the regulatory definition of VOC. Evidence shows that these HFPEs are negligibly reactive in forming ground-level ozone. This action will allow states to remove regulatory controls on the four compounds that are part of State Implementation Plans designed to help meet the ground-level ozone standards. These compounds are used in a variety of applications as fire suppressants and refrigerants. See the HFPEs fact sheet (pdf) (23.8 KB). | 78 FR 9823 (pdf) (283 KB) | EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0089 |