Rulemaking- Chapter 173-443 WAC Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC): Formal Comment Period
In October 2024, Ecology announced rulemaking to amend Chapter 173-443 WAC, the Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and Other Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases rule. This rulemaking supports the transition away from using some HFCs and similar gases in certain products such as aerosol propellants and foams, as well as in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. These greenhouse gases can be thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide. By restricting the use of the most potent HFCs in new equipment and properly maintaining existing equipment that contain those HFCs, Washington will prevent roughly four million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year by 2035.
Ecology has identified parts of the rule that could be amended to improve clarity, facilitate more consistent implementation, and reduce unintended impacts on businesses. Specifically, Ecology proposes to amend existing sell-through provisions in WAC 173-443-065 and -075, which allow equipment with prohibited refrigerants that was manufactured before a certain date to be sold for a limited period of time after the prohibition effective dates in WAC 173-443-040, Tables 2 and 3.
Ecology also plans to modify WAC 173-443-040 to align the list of prohibited substances and effective dates for Automatic Commercial Ice Machines (ACIMs) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Technology Transitions Rule adopted in October 2023.
Lastly, this rulemaking will address necessary technical and administrative changes such as adding or amending definitions, fixing typos and grammar issues, and clarifying language where needed. These changes will not change any requirements in the rule.
To read the proposed rule language and learn more about this rulemaking, visit our rulemaking webpage. The proposed rule language is available in the "Meetings" table within the "Public input & involvement" section of the webpage.
Next Steps:
After the close of the comment period, Ecology will review and respond to comments. We will send out a notice about the next steps to anyone who provided contact information.
Contact Information
*Indicates Required Fields
Thank you for subscribing to the Rulemaking- Chapter 173-443 WAC Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC): Formal Comment Period mailing list.
In October 2024, Ecology announced rulemaking to amend Chapter 173-443 WAC, the Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and Other Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases rule. This rulemaking supports the transition away from using some HFCs and similar gases in certain products such as aerosol propellants and foams, as well as in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. These greenhouse gases can be thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide. By restricting the use of the most potent HFCs in new equipment and properly maintaining existing equipment that contain those HFCs, Washington will prevent roughly four million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year by 2035.
Ecology has identified parts of the rule that could be amended to improve clarity, facilitate more consistent implementation, and reduce unintended impacts on businesses. Specifically, Ecology proposes to amend existing sell-through provisions in WAC 173-443-065 and -075, which allow equipment with prohibited refrigerants that was manufactured before a certain date to be sold for a limited period of time after the prohibition effective dates in WAC 173-443-040, Tables 2 and 3.
Ecology also plans to modify WAC 173-443-040 to align the list of prohibited substances and effective dates for Automatic Commercial Ice Machines (ACIMs) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Technology Transitions Rule adopted in October 2023.
Lastly, this rulemaking will address necessary technical and administrative changes such as adding or amending definitions, fixing typos and grammar issues, and clarifying language where needed. These changes will not change any requirements in the rule.
To read the proposed rule language and learn more about this rulemaking, visit our rulemaking webpage. The proposed rule language is available in the "Meetings" table within the "Public input & involvement" section of the webpage.
Next Steps:
After the close of the comment period, Ecology will review and respond to comments. We will send out a notice about the next steps to anyone who provided contact information.
Contact Information
*Indicates Required Fields