EPA Releases Proposed SNAP Rule 25 to List Refrigerants with New Acceptable End-uses

This week the EPA released a proposed SNAP Rule 25 which expands the list of acceptable refrigerants for air-conditioning and refrigeration, along with acceptable chemicals for fire suppressants and industry standards. The Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program is a Clean Air Act system sued to list acceptable substitutes for certain end-uses to replace ozone-depleting substances and include many low-GWP refrigerants.

As part of the proposed SNAP Rule 25, EPA made the following listings:

• Listed HFO-1234yf, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C as acceptable refrigerants subject to use conditions for new centrifugal and positive displacement chillers for comfort cooling

• Listed HFC-32 and R-452B as acceptable refrigerants subject to use conditions for new positive displacement chillers using rotary or scroll compressors for comfort cooling

• Listed HFO-1234yf, R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C as acceptable refrigerants subject to use conditions for new industrial process air conditioning using a chiller

• Listed HFC-32 and R-452B as acceptable refrigerants subject to use conditions for new industrial process air conditioning using a chiller with a rotary or scroll compressor

• Listed R-1150 (ethylene) as acceptable for use in new very low temperate refrigeration subject to use conditions (equipment designed specifically to reach temperatures below -80°C/-112°F)

EPA is requiring any equipment using these listed refrigerants to meet UL Standard 60335-2-40, 3rd Edition, as a use condition. This safety standard includes testing, ventilation, usage, space requirements, and warnings and labels to meet the use condition.

Additionally, the rule requires self-contained room air conditioners using previously accepted HFC-32 to meet UL Standard 60335-2-40, 3rd Edition, for any equipment manufactured after the rule is finalized.

The rule will have a 45-day comment period once it is published in the Federal Register.

Read the fact sheet on the proposed rule here.