EPA Issues Enforcement Alert on Importation of HFCs
EPA recently issued an enforcement alert related to plans to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (see 2109230054). The alert aims to provide information on common compliance issues related to the importation of bulk HFCs, according to the agency.
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EPA says the HFCs phase-down is mandated by the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act and is related to U.S. commitments to the Kigali Amendment that were officially ratified in October 2022. The regulation calls for an 85% phase-down of HFCs from historic baseline levels by 2036. To do this, EPA has placed limits on the production, consumption and importation of HFCs.
In addition to the alert, EPA said that in this fiscal year 2024, the agency has completed nine civil settlements to resolve claims of unlawful imports of HFCs, including recent settlements involving five companies: Clean Venture, HVAC Services, Liferafts Incorporated of Puerto Rico, Little Leaf Farms, and Parker Engineering and Mechanical. The companies will pay a combined total of $115,551 in civil penalties to resolve the alleged violations, EPA said last week.