The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a Final Rule entitled ‘Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Revision to References for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector To Incorporate Latest Edition of Certain Industry, Consensus-based Standards.’’ This action regulates the use of three flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants— isobutane, propane, and the hydrocarbon blend R-441A—in new household refrigerators and freezers.

The new use conditions are as follows:

1. New equipment only; not intended for use as a retrofit alternative: Propane, isobutane, and R-441A may be used only in new equipment designed specifically and clearly identified for the refrigerant (i.e., none of these substitutes may be used as a conversion or “retrofit” refrigerant for existing equipment designed for a different refrigerant); and

2. UL standard: These refrigerants may be used only in equipment that meets all requirements in the 2017 UL Standard 60335–2–24.

The rule takes effect Sept. 7.

More information available in the Federal Register: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-08-08/pdf/2018-16773.pdf