Select your language

HARDI calls for an industrial consensus policy on HFC reduction at the state level

United States. The International Association of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors (HARDI) is calling for a renewed effort by industry partners to develop a consensual industry policy for states pursuing the phase-out of HFC refrigerants, while continuing to express concern about a proposal to allow a six-month sales period for units that use HFCs manufactured before the proposed deadline of 2023.

Recently, California passed the California Cooling Act, which directs the California Air Resources Board to develop regulations to reduce the use of HFCs in air conditioning and refrigeration products. Several industry members recently announced their support for certain proposed measures, negotiated by a few manufacturers without the involvement of the HVACR industry at large, to meet the state's HFC emissions reduction target; however, HARDI has refrained from signing until a consensus is reached on a more realistic sale period.

Specifically, the proposal includes the language of a manufacturing ban with a subsequent restrictive period of direct selling that would adversely affect HARDI members at the peak of the sales season. Previous experiences with direct selling periods showed that the concept adds complexity to the distribution process. The simple use of a manufacturing ban is much more effective in ensuring that compliant units are sold to consumers.

"The proposed six-month sales period ending in the middle of summer is unsustainable for our members, suppliers and customers," said HARDI Vice President of Government Affairs Palmer Schoening. "We favor a plan that does not affect the entire distribution channel at the height of the sales season and a process that includes all stakeholders. AHRI has led this consensus-focused version of this plan and we ask the industry to follow suit on this issue."

- Publicidad -

Recent announcements from New York, Connecticut and Maryland to seek similar HFC reductions increase the need for industry-wide consensus on this important issue, as those states are likely to follow California's lead. These additional states add to the urgency of working together to develop a single, industry-wide plan that can be adopted, with the agreement of environmental advocates and consumers, to prevent multiple sets of state regulations that will complicate the distribution of equipment.

"While we would prefer a national approach to reducing the production and use of HFCs, such as that proposed in the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, we recognize California's interest in addressing this HFC emissions reduction issue," said hardi's CEO. Talbot Gee. "HARDI fully supports industry collaboration to ensure all of our suppliers' concerns have been taken into account, and to maximize the time our respective policy teams work together for the industry."

HARDI reiterates its support for all ongoing negotiations to be facilitated exclusively through AHRI, and encourages members of the HVACR industry to join this effort.

"A small collective of distributors also can't negotiate the best policy here," Gee added. "Achieving a broad consensus allows the industry to speak in one voice. If this had been done in this case, we would not have the problems that prevent our support for the current agreement. We must do better in the future if the HVACR industry really wants to make a difference for the environment, our industry and our customers."

Duván Chaverra Agudelo
Duván Chaverra AgudeloEmail: [email protected]
Editor Jefe
Jefe Editorial en Latin Press, Inc,. Comunicador Social y Periodista con experiencia de más de 12 años en medios de comunicación. Apasionado por la tecnología. Director Académico del Congreso RefriAméricas.

No comments

• If you're already registered, please log in first. Your email will not be published.

Leave your comment

In reply to Some User
Building Automation Days 2025 in Bogota marks a milestone for the KNX standard in Latin America

Building Automation Days 2025 in Bogota marks a milestone for the KNX standard in Latin America

Colombia. With more than a hundred attendees and the participation of six high-profile exhibitors, Building Automation Days by KNX LATAM, Colombia edition, established itself as the most relevant...

Design Envelope Technology Hits 750 gpm Fire Pump Segment

Design Envelope Technology Hits 750 gpm Fire Pump Segment

Canada. In response to the growing demands of the fire protection industry, Armstrong Fluid Technology announced the expansion of its Vertical-In-Line pump line with the addition of the new 5x4x10PF...

Greenheck Launches New RV-220 Model and Expands Its Line of Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems

Greenheck Launches New RV-220 Model and Expands Its Line of Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems

United States. Greenheck announced the addition of the RV-220 to its line of dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS), a solution that responds to the growing demand for equipment with greater outdoor...

Embraco enters the HVAC market with new scroll compressors and aims to become a full-service supplier

Embraco enters the HVAC market with new scroll compressors and aims to become a full-service supplier

Brazil. Embraco announced its official entry into the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) market following the acquisition of the specialized company Xecom, and the launch of a new line...

SIGMAN GROUP and Carrier-VRF reinforce technical training in the HVAC sector in Ecuador

SIGMAN GROUP and Carrier-VRF reinforce technical training in the HVAC sector in Ecuador

Ecuador. An intensive week of technical and commercial training brought together key players in the HVAC sector in Quito and Guayaquil, thanks to the joint initiative of GRUPO SIGMAN and...

AHR Expo Mexico 2025 returns to Monterrey with its most ambitious edition yet

AHR Expo Mexico 2025 returns to Monterrey with its most ambitious edition yet

Mexico. The event returns this year to Monterrey with an unprecedented edition. The exhibition, dedicated to air conditioning, ventilation, heating, refrigeration and filtration solutions, promises...

Fujitsu Launches New AIRSTAGE Multi-Position Air Handler with R-32 Refrigerant

Fujitsu Launches New AIRSTAGE Multi-Position Air Handler with R-32 Refrigerant

United States. Fujitsu General America announced the launch of its new AIRSTAGE Multi-Position Air Handling Unit (MPAHU), designed to provide greater application flexibility by easily...

HVAC project at the Javeriana University, finalist in the CALA Awards 2025 in the HVAC category

HVAC project at the Javeriana University, finalist in the CALA Awards 2025 in the HVAC category

The HVAC system installed in the building of the Faculty of Sciences of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, in Bogotá, was selected as a finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025. The...

Concord Project in La Lima Free Trade Zone, finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025

Concord Project in La Lima Free Trade Zone, finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025

The HVAC system project carried out by MultiFRIO for the company Concord in the La Lima Free Trade Zone, in Cartago, received the final prize in the HVAC category of the CALA Awards 2025, a...

HVAC project at the Universidad Santiago de Cali, finalist in the CALA AWARDS HVAC category

HVAC project at the Universidad Santiago de Cali, finalist in the CALA AWARDS HVAC category

The air conditioning project of the Auditorium Building and the Technology Center of the new campus of the Santiago de Cali University was chosen as a finalist in the HVAC category of the CALA...

Free Subscription
Remember Me
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
DO YOU NEED A SERVICE OR PRODUCT QUOTE?
LASTEST INTERVIEWS
SITE SPONSORS










LASTEST NEWSLETTER
Ultimo Info-Boletin