Law & Order

Obama Administration Seeks Voluntary Phase-Out of R-134a Refrigerant

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The Obama Administration is leading an international effort to voluntarily phase-out production and use of the coolant R-134a and other hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs emerged in the ’90s as replacements to “freon” and other chemicals associated with depleting the Earth’s ozone layer. 

However, HFCs are significant greenhouse gases, potentially 10,000 times more potent per ounce than carbon dioxide. The Administration is working with U.S. industry to switch to more environmentally friendly alternative refrigerants, such as HFO1234YF. The Administration is also asking other countries to take similar actions and is seeking implementation through an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which covers ozone depletion.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org