New York State Pauses Parts of New Refrigerant Rule

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a delay in enforcing parts of its recently published regulation banning commonly used refrigerants. This decision, advocated by Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), provides much-needed flexibility for distributors and end-users to navigate the stringent requirements, ensuring consumers maintain access to vital refrigeration products, a press release from HARDI said. 

“We appreciate DEC granting our request to delay enforcement of their recent ban on refrigerants used in commercial refrigeration,” said HARDI CEO Talbot Gee. “HARDI has raised significant concerns about the issues within the regulation. We look forward to working collaboratively with the DEC and industry partners to ensure continued access to refrigeration and precise climate controls essential to supermarkets, grocers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and more. HARDI remains unwavering in its commitment to this objective.”

The DEC has delayed enforcing the bulk refrigerant sales prohibition by three months, until Wednesday, April 9, 2025. It is also allowing, until the end of the year, the sale of two common refrigerants used by supermarkets, restaurants, and convenience stores. Additionally, businesses using the force majeure variance process can repair equipment during the variance process.

The HVACR industry has worked closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase down HFC refrigerants that have high GWP. These federal regulations have provided a proven framework for smooth transitions to climate-friendly alternatives, HARDI’s press release said. However, the DEC’s regulations deviate from federal standards by banning newly produced high-GWP refrigerants before a sufficient supply of recycled alternatives is secured, jeopardizing refrigeration access for thousands of New York businesses, the press release said.

“This untested regulatory approach creates unnecessary challenges,” said Dale Norton, vice president of Meier Supply and a HARDI board member. “Refrigeration is critical to modern life, and sudden state-level rules that fail to consider consumer impacts risk derailing our industry’s progress. We urge the DEC to collaborate on solutions that protect both consumers and the environment.”

In response to concerns about the DEC regulation, state Sen. Pat Gallivan, R-Elma, has introduced a bill to amend the Environmental Conservation Law to align New York’s HFC regulations with federal EPA standards.

“Through federal leadership, global HFC use is set to decrease by 85%, continuing the HVACR industry’s long tradition of advancing environmentally responsible technologies,” said Gee.