Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Chemicals and Toxics
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Pesticides
    • Radon
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Guidance
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • EPA Administrator
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History
    • Staff Directory
Related Topics:
  • Stationary Refrigeration
Contact Us

Stationary Refrigeration - Prohibition on Venting Refrigerants

EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F) under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act prohibit individuals from intentionally venting ozone-depleting substances (ODS) or their substitutes while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment. Only three types of releases are permitted:

  1. "De minimis" quantities of refrigerant released while making good faith attempts to recapture and recycle or safely dispose of refrigerant including releases that occur when connecting or disconnecting hoses to charge or service appliances.
  2. Refrigerant emitted during the normal operation of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment (as opposed to during the maintenance, servicing, repair, or disposal of this equipment), such as from mechanical purging and leaks. However, EPA requires that leaks above a certain size be repaired in equipment that contains 50 pounds of refrigerant or more.
  3. Releases of substitute refrigerants that EPA has determined do not pose a threat to the environment. See the Recent Regulatory Developments box for more information.

Recent Regulatory Developments

The Final Rule on Listing of Substitutes for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Revision of the Venting Prohibition for Certain Refrigerant Substitutes exempts four hydrocarbon substitute refrigerants from the venting prohibition based on current evidence that their release does not pose a threat to the environment.

The Final Rule: Revision of the Venting Prohibition for Specific Refrigerant Substitutes exempts two substitute refrigerants from the venting prohibition in certain end-uses. Specifically, these are isobutane (R-600a) and R-441A in household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators and freezers, and propane (R-290) in retail food refrigerators and freezers (stand-alone units only).

Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on October 11, 2022
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data.gov
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.