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Phaseout of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b in the United States
| Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, or HCFCs, are a class of chemical compounds that are mainly used as refrigerants in the air-conditioning and refrigeration industries. They are also important components for foam blowing, solvent cleaning, and fire protection. Because HCFCs play a role in depleting the ozone layer, the United States is phasing out their consumption by first limiting and then ending their production and import. In particular, HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b are the next two HCFCs that the United States will phaseout. |
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HCFC-22 is also referred to as R-22 or by one of its trade names, Freon® 22. It is a popular refrigerant that is commonly used in a variety of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, including:
HCFC-22 is often used as a component in refrigerant blends that contain several compounds. Some common end uses for refrigerant blends that contain HCFC-22 follow:
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HCFC-142b, or R-142b, is also used as a refrigerant. HCFC-142b is rarely used by itself; it is generally a component of a refrigerant blend. For example, it is part of a blend known as R-409A, which also includes HCFC-22. HCFC-142b is also used for foam blowing and as a propellant in aerosol cans.
Other commonly used HCFCs include HCFC-123, HCFC-124, HCFC-225ca, and HCFC-225cb. For a complete list of other regulated HCFCs, see the list of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances.
Why does EPA regulate HCFCs?
The stratospheric ozone layer shields the Earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Overexposure to UV radiation can cause skin cancer and cataracts or damage crops and materials. However, emissions of man-made chemicals that contain chlorine and bromine – including chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons - destroy the ozone layer, and have created an “ozone hole" over the South Pole.
Reversing ozone depletion is crucial to human and environmental health worldwide. In 1988, the United States ratified the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. By ratifying the Protocol and its amendments, the United States committed to a collaborative, international effort to regulate and phaseout ozone-depleting substances. This effort is expected to result in the recovery of the ozone layer by 2075, as long as all countries meet their established targets.
Phaseout Schedule Under the Montreal Protocol
The Parties to the Montreal Protocol have created a schedule under which developed countries (including the U.S.) and developing countries reduce HCFC production and consumption in a step-wise fashion. In September 2007, the Parties agreed to revise the HCFC phaseout schedules for developed countries (including the U.S.) and developing countries. More information about the adjustment to the Montreal Protocol is available here.
Phaseout Schedule in the U.S.
The United States amended the Clean Air Act (CAA) in 1990 to include Title VI, Stratospheric Ozone Protection. The Montreal Protocol provided the basis for Title VI, which included additional requirements to phaseout the production of substances that deplete the ozone layer. The U.S. has already phased out many substances and is now phasing out Class II substances (the HCFCs) starting with those that have the greatest ozone depletion potential (ODP).
As of January 1, 2003, EPA banned production and import of HCFC-141b, the HCFC with the highest ODP. This action allowed the United States to reduce its consumption by 35 percent below the cap by the January 1, 2004, deadline and meet its obligations under the Montreal Protocol. In 2003 EPA issued baseline allowances for production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b. EPA allocated 100 percent of the U.S. consumption and production caps by allocating both consumption and production allowances to individual companies for HCFC-141b, HCFC-22, and HCFC-142b.
The United States plans to meet the rest of the Montreal Protocol phaseout schedule through the following actions:
| January 1, 2010 | Ban on production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b except for on-going servicing needs in equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010.* |
| January 1, 2015 | Ban on introduction into interstate commerce or use
of HCFCs except where the HCFCs are used as a refrigerant
in appliances manufactured prior to January 1, 2020.*
Ban on production or import of HCFCs except where the HCFCs are used as a refrigerant in appliances manufactured prior to January 1, 2020.* |
| January 1, 2020 | Ban on remaining production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b.* |
| January 1, 2030 | Ban on remaining production and import of all other HCFCs.* |
*Certain additional exemptions apply, including exemptions for (1) HCFCs used in processes resulting in their transformation or destruction, or (2) pre-authorized import of HCFCs that are recovered and either recycled or reclaimed.
What These Regulations Mean for HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b
As the next major step to phaseout HCFCs, EPA will further limit the production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b. Starting January 1, 2010, the production and import of HCFC-22 or HCFC-142b for newly manufactured equipment will stop in the United States. The production/import limit will be set at a level that is suitable for servicing existing equipment. Only importers that have consumption allowances may import HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b, as described in the answers to frequently asked questions by chemical manufacturers, importers, and exporters. Between 2010 and 2020, HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b will be produced or imported for the exclusive purpose of servicing existing equipment. As of January 1, 2015, as part of the phaseout of all HCFCs, the sale and use of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b will be banned except for transformation or servicing refrigeration and air-conditioning applications. EPA will not permit newly manufactured HCFC-22, HCFC-142b, or blends containing either substance, to be used for charging new equipment Starting January 1, 2020, the production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b will be banned entirely in the United States. Once this happens, only recycled/reclaimed or stockpiled quantities of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b will be available for servicing existing equipment. As of January 21, 2003 imports of HCFC-22, HCFC-141b, and HCFC-142b are restricted to holders of consumption allowances. Similarly, imports of all used HCFCs are restricted to those who have obtained EPA approval prior to the shipments export from the country of origin.
Need more information about the HCFC phaseout?
EPA provides a variety of information on ozone science, regulation of ozone-depleting substances, and acceptable alternatives on its web site. Please visit http://www.epa.gov/ozone for more information. Be sure to check back to keep informed about regulatory changes and updates.
The following links provide additional information on issues addressed in this document.