US EPA Regulatory Updates: Alternatives and Emissions Reductions

Cindy Newberg from the US Environmental Protection Agency starts the presentation by providing a regulatory update on HCFC Phaseout regulations and labelling requirements that will as of 2015 apply to all products in the US market containing HCFCs. Thereafter she mentions the proposed exemption to the `no venting` prohibition for hydrocarbons in domestic and retail stand-alone units. The agency is also continuously evaluating substitute alternatives under the Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP) Program and has currently 15-20 active submissions under review that include fluorinated and non-fluorinated alternatives as well as new molecules. Ms Newberg concluded by saying that the US approach combines several elements, including robust licencing system, prohibitions on certain uses, refrigerant management, alternative identification and collaboration with partners.