EPA Greenlights Cooler Alternatives: Save the Ozone Layer Now
Published Date: 11/9/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing new rules to approve safer, ozone-friendly substitutes for use in air conditioners, refrigerators, and fire suppression systems. This affects manufacturers and users by updating which chemicals are allowed and how they can be used, helping protect our planet’s ozone layer. Comments on these changes are open until December 26, 2025, so now’s the time to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
New Refrigerants Approved for Home AC
The EPA proposes to list R-516A, HFO-1234ze(E), and the hydrocarbon blend HCR 4141 as acceptable for use in residential and light commercial air conditioners and heat pumps, subject to use conditions. The proposal says these listings apply to new equipment only and would appear in a new appendix Z to 40 CFR part 82, subpart G.
New-Equipment Only Rule (No Retrofits)
The EPA proposes that many newly listed refrigerants may be used only in new equipment specifically designed and identified for those refrigerants and may not be used as conversions or 'retrofit' refrigerants for existing equipment. The proposal also says updated use conditions would apply only to equipment manufactured after the effective date of a final rule.
New Retrofit Options for Vehicle Air Conditioning
The EPA proposes to list several refrigerant blends as acceptable, subject to use conditions, for retrofit motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) applications (for example, HFO‑1234yf in retrofit LMDV MVACs; R-444A, R-456A, R-480A, and R-453A in various retrofit MVACs including light- and medium-duty vehicles, heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans, buses, trains, and HDOH vehicles).
Mandatory Labels, Color-Coding, and Markings
The EPA proposes common use conditions requiring warning labels on equipment and packaging (similar to the relevant UL standard), red color-coded hoses and piping to indicate flammable refrigerants, and marked service ports, pipes, hoses, and other service devices. These marking and labeling requirements apply to the new and updated listings identified in this rulemaking.
Third‑Party Certification or Standards Requirement
The EPA is co-proposing two options as an additional use condition: (1) incorporate by reference equipment safety standards (for example, ASHRAE 15-2024) or (2) require equipment certification to a U.S. industry consensus safety standard by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). The proposal lists ASHRAE/UL standards prices (e.g., ASHRAE bundle $178; UL 60335-2-40 electronic $521 / hard $652; UL 60335-2-24 electronic $555 / hard $694; UL 399 electronic $798 / hard $998) and states EPA considers these costs not a significant financial burden for equipment manufacturers.
New Fire Suppressant Listing for Aircraft Spaces
The EPA proposes to list 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene/carbon dioxide (2-BTP/CO2) as acceptable, subject to use conditions, as a total‑flooding fire suppressant for normally unoccupied spaces onboard aircraft, including engine nacelles, auxiliary power units (APUs), and cargo bays.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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