Chapters 173-443 and 173-455 WAC – Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
On November 30, 2023, Ecology adopted two rules:
- Chapter 173-443 WAC, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (updated title to Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and Other Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases)
- Chapter 173-455 WAC, Air Quality Fee Rule
The adopted rule:
- Establishes maximum global warming potential (GWP) thresholds for hydrofluorocarbons used in new stationary refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, small cans of refrigerant, and certain nonessential consumer aerosol products.
- Establishes a refrigerant management program with registration, leak inspection, leak repair, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for owners or operators of large stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
- Establishes required service practices for technicians who service stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
- Amend sproduct labeling and disclosure requirements.
- Establishes new labeling and recordkeeping requirements.
- Updates Chapter 173-443 WAC to reflect other changes in the law.
- Revises the title of the chapter.
A new section in Chapter 173-455 WAC establishes fees and a process for fee updates to cover the costs of implementing and enforcing the refrigerant management program.
Rulemaking timeline
Announcement phase (CR-101)
Filing date:
Aug. 16, 2021
Announcement documents
Rule development phase
August 16, 2021 – July 12, 2023Public input & involvement
Public comment period (informal) – EXTENDED
February 3, 2022 – February 15, 2023 (originally January 31, 2023)
Ecology's meetings with stakeholders
| Date (PDT) | Documents | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday Feb. 3, 2022 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Agenda Presentation Draft rule language Meeting summary |
webinar 1 |
| Thursday March 31, 2022 1 p.m – 3:30 p.m. |
Agenda Presentation Draft rule language Meeting summary |
|
| Tuesday May 10, 2022 9:30 a.m. – noon |
Agenda Presentation Draft rule language Meeting summary Grocery retailers Q&A |
|
| Wednesday July 6, 2022 9:30 a.m. – noon |
Agenda Presentation Draft rule language Meeting summary |
|
| Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022 9:30 a.m. – noon |
Agenda |
webinar recording 1 |
| Thursday Nov. 17, 2022 9:30 a.m. – noon PST |
Agenda Presentation Draft rule language Meeting summary Draft requirements for refrigerant management |
webinar recording 1 |
| Wednesday Jan. 25, 2023 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PST |
Agenda Presentation Draft rule language Draft rule language (Jan. 27, 2023 version) |
webinar recording 1 |
1 Webinar information:
Register for each webinar to get your meeting ID and passcode.
To hear the webinar better or to call in only, use your phone (instead of the computer) to call 253‑215‑8782.
Rule proposal phase (CR-102)
July 13, 2023
- Proposal notice – CR-102 form
- Proposed rule language
- Chapter 173-443 WAC – Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (proposed title change: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and Other Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases)
- WAC 173-455-160 – Refrigerant management program fees
- Preliminary Regulatory Analyses
- SEPA Determination of Nonsignificance and Environmental Checklist
Related documents:
Continuance filing (CR-102)
Filing date:
August 31, 2023
Continuance documents:
- Continuance of proposal notice – CR-102 form (extended public comment period)
- SEPA Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) and Environmental Checklist (extended public comment period)
Comment period
Comments were due by September 10, 2023 (originally August 31, 2023). We accepted comments in the following ways:
- Attend a public hearing online (webinar): August 24, 2023, 10 a.m.
- Mail to: Linda Kildahl
Department of Ecology
Air Quality Program
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Public hearing
Date/Time: August 24, 2023, 10 a.m. online (webinar)
Location: online (webinar) – recording
Register for the webinar to get your meeting ID and passcode.
To hear the webinar better or to call in only, use your phone (instead of the computer) to call 253‑215‑8782.
Agenda: Presentation, question-and-answer session, followed by public hearing
Accessibility: To request ADA accommodation for the public hearing, email Ecology’s ADA coordinator by August 17, 2023. Or call 360-407-6831, 711 (relay service), or 877-833-6341 (TTY).
Rule adoption phase (CR-103)
Nov. 30, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Related links
Contact information
Linda Kildahl
Rulemaking Lead
linda.kildahl@ecy.wa.gov
360-706-3038
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Accessibility
To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.