Chapters 173-443 and 173-455 WAC – Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

On November 30, 2023, Ecology adopted two rules:

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

Timeline

Announcement phase (CR-101)

Filing date:
Aug. 16, 2021


Announcement documents

Rule development phase

August 16, 2021 – July 12, 2023

Public input & involvement

Public comment period (informal) – EXTENDED
February 3, 2022 – February 15, 2023 (originally January 31, 2023)

Read comments.

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

webinar recording 1

Tuesday
May 10, 2022
9:30 a.m. – noon
Agenda
Presentation
Draft rule language
Meeting summary
Grocery retailers Q&A

webinar recording 1

Wednesday
July 6, 2022
9:30 a.m. – noon
Agenda
Presentation
Draft rule language
Meeting summary

webinar recording 1

Wednesday
Sept. 14, 2022
9:30 a.m. – noon

Agenda
Presentation
Draft rule language
Meeting summary
Draft requirements for refrigerant management

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)

Filing date:
July 13, 2023

Rule proposal documents:

Related documents:

Continuance filing (CR-102)

Filing date:
August 31, 2023

Continuance documents:

Comment period

Comments were due by September 10, 2023 (originally August 31, 2023). We accepted comments in the following ways:

  • Read comments.

  • 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).

Additional languages

Español (Spanish) 中文 (Chinese) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) 한국어 (Korean)

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.