EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require that refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment be tested to ensure it meets EPA requirements.

For most recovery and recycling equipment, these requirements are detailed in Appendix B2 to 40 CFR 82, Subpart F. Requirements for equipment manufactured or imported after January 1, 2017, are detailed in Appendix B3 (for non-flammable refrigerants) or Appendix B4 (for flammable refrigerants). These standards are based on the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) 740 test protocol. Small appliance recovery and recycling equipment may be tested under these requirements or the ones detailed in Appendix C to 40 CFR 82, Subpart F.

Recovery equipment standards vary depending on the size and type of air-conditioning or refrigeration appliance being serviced:

• Recovery and recycling equipment used with most air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment must meet the standards identified in the following table.
• Small appliance recovery equipment must be able to recover either:
  • 90 percent of the refrigerant in the small appliance when the small appliance compressor is functional, or
  • 80 percent of the refrigerant in the small appliance when the compressor is not functional.

EPA-Approved Testing Organizations

EPA has approved the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Exit and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Exit   to certify recycling and recovery equipment. Both organizations can provide information on certified equipment.

Certified equipment can be identified by a label that states: "This equipment has been certified by AHRI/UL to meet EPA's minimum requirements for recycling and/or recovery equipment intended for use with [appropriate category of appliance]."

Certification by Owners of Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling Equipment

EPA no longer requires that persons servicing air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment certify that they have acquired refrigerant recovery or recycling equipment and that they are complying with the applicable requirements.