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August, 2009

Use of R-12 (also called CFC-12) Refrigerants/609 EPA Certification

Q. Is it still legal to install R-12 refrigerant in automobiles in Florida. And are repair facilities allowed to sell R-12 if they have it in inventory?

A. The production or importation of CFC-12 in the USA is banned because according to the EPA it depletes the Ozone layer. However, USE of CFC-12 is not banned. Even though production of CFC-12 ended on December 31, 1995, use of CFC-12 is still permitted and both recycled R-12 and R-12 manufactured before the Production Ban is still readily available. You can continue to use the CFC-12 that is in your vehicle now, and your service technician can continue to put it in your vehicle, as long as supplies are available. CFC-12 used today is constantly being recovered and recycled, and CFC-12 produced in 1994 and 1995 is being placed into inventory, so that there is still refrigerant available.

Acceptable Buyers
The following people can only buy refrigerant found suitable for use in a motor vehicle air conditioner (for example, R-12, R-406A, R-414A, R-414B, etc.), including "small cans" containing less than 20 pounds of R-12:

• technicians certified to service motor vehicle air-conditioners
• (MVACs) by a Section 609 EPA-certified testing organization
• persons who buy refrigerant only for the purpose of resale to Section 609 certified technicians, such persons must provide written documentation (that includes the purchaser's name and address) to the seller stating that the refrigerant is only intended for resale.

What is EPA Section 609 Certification?
Since January 1, 1993, any person, repairing or servicing motor vehicle air conditioners shall certify, to the EPA that such person has acquired, and is properly using, approved equipment, and that each individual authorized to use the equipment is properly trained and certified under Section 609 of the Clean Air Act