EPA Revises Refrigerant Recovery/Recycling Equipment Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has updated the currently referenced motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) servicing standards for refrigerant handling to match newly revised industry standards. The action does not require an immediate replacement of previously certified MVAC recovery/recycling equipment with new equipment. However, all new MVAC refrigerant handling equipment manufactured after December 31, 2007, must be certified to the specifications outlined in the regulation.
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA establishes standards specifically for the service of MVACs. EPA refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) industry standards for technical specifications related to MVAC servicing issues.
Existing regulations covering specifications for MVAC refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment reference outdated SAE standards. This action updates existing regulations to reference newly updated SAE standards.
Additional information on MVAC servicing can be found at http://epa.gov/ozone/title6/609/technicians/index.html.