Chapter 173-443 WAC Hydrofluorocarbons
Ecology proposes updates to Chapter 173-443 WAC, the Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and Other Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases rule. This rule supports the transition away from using some HFCs and similar gases in certain products such as aerosol propellants and foams, as well as in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. These greenhouse gases can be thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide. By restricting the use of the most potent HFCs in new equipment and properly maintaining existing equipment that contain those HFCs, Washington will prevent roughly four million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year by 2035.
Ecology has identified parts of the rule that could be amended to improve clarity, facilitate more consistent implementation, and reduce unintended impacts on businesses. Specifically, Ecology proposes to amend existing sell-through provisions in WAC 173-443-065 and -075, which allow equipment with prohibited refrigerants that were manufactured before a certain date to be sold for a limited period of time after the prohibition effective dates in WAC 173-443-040, Tables 2 and 3.
Ecology also plans to modify WAC 173-443-040 to align the list of prohibited substances and effective dates for Automatic Commercial Ice Machines with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Technology Transitions Rule adopted in October 2023.
Lastly, this rulemaking will address necessary technical and administrative changes such as adding or amending definitions, fixing typos and grammar issues and clarifying language where needed. These changes will not change any requirements in the rule.
Rulemaking timeline
Announcement phase (CR-101)
Filing date:
Oct. 2, 2024
Announcement documents
Rule development phase
Oct. 2, 2024 - Summer 2025Public input & involvement
Public comment periods
Second public comment period (informal)
Jan. 16, 2025, at midnight - Feb. 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
See comments on the draft rule language for this rulemaking
First public comment period (informal)
Dec. 16, 2024, at midnight - Jan. 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
See initial input for this rulemaking
Ecology's meetings with interested parties
| Date | Documents | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Informational Meeting Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 |
Presentation | |
|
Draft Rule Language Meeting Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 |
Webinar Recording | |
|
Combined Community Forum Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 |
Webinar Recording |
Rule proposal phase (CR-102)
May 20, 2025
- Proposal Notice- CR-102 form
- Proposed rule language (173-443 WAC)
- Preliminary Regulatory Analysis
- SEPA Determination of Non-significance (DNS) and Environmental Checklist
Comment period
Comments are due by July 22, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Comment period: May 20, 2025 at 12 a.m. - July 22, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Ecology will review all the comments received and plans for adoption Oct. 2025. See above for documents related to the Proposal Phase of the rulemaking.
We accepted comments in the following ways:
- Submit comments online
- Mail to:
For standard US Mail-
Department of Ecology
Climate Pollution Reduction Program
Gopika Patwa
PO BOX 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
For Parcel Service-
Department of Ecology
Climate Pollution Reduction Program
Gopika Patwa
300 Desmond Dr SE
Lacey, WA 98503
- Attend a public hearing - see below
The hearings include a short presentation followed by the opportunity to provide testimony.
Date/Time: July 9 webinar
July 10 webinar
Location: online (webinar)
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, followed by public hearing
Accessibility: To request ADA accommodation for the public hearing, email Ecology’s ADA coordinator by July 1, 2025. Or call 360-407-6831, 711 (relay service), or 877-833-6341 (TTY).
Related links
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.