A schedule of compliance by companies which have systems for commercial and industrial refrigeration, air conditioning, and HVAC is already being laid out. This is after countries affected by the Montreal Kyoto Protocol have issued government directives which shall eventually phase out the production of refrigerant gases like hydrochlorofluorocarbons. These phase out regulations are nothing new. The protocol was written many years ago. Some countries intend to be ahead of schedule with the R-22 and HCFC phaseout. The interesting twist is the relationship between ozone depleting substances like HCFCs and their added impact as high global warming potential greenhouse gases. According to the HCFC phase out, developed nations must meet certain criteria as they strive to achieve total eradication of hydrochlorofluorocarbons by certain dates. This phase out began in 2003 and ends in 2030, which should allow ample time for the development and implementation of safer substitutes. The HCFC phase out in the U.S. is a major step up in the efforts to eventually stop the production of the most harmful HCFCs like HCFC-22, HCFC-142b, and HCFC-141b, as worldwide protocols aim at reducing HCFC use. Production or import of HCC-141B has been halted in the United States under the HCFC phase out. HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b will no longer be produced and imported by 2010. Some exceptions will be made for equipment which is still in use, as long as it was made prior to January 1, 2010 In the future, under the HCFC phase out, no production or imports of HCFCs will be allowed starting in 2015. An exception will be made for refrigerants used in equipment made prior to January 1, 2020. In the year 2020, production and import of HCFC-142b and HCFC-22 will finish. The use of HCFCs will be banned in the new cooling and refrigeration equipment and will be limited in existing facilities with the schedule of HCFC phaseout. The HCFC phase out has a goal of improving the environment by ridding it of hydrochlorofluorocarbons that are believed to be responsible for damaging the ozone layer. Manmade chemicals carry high global warming potential and will cause irreversible damage to living things and human beings. A large scope of business types will be affected by the phaseout especially those which use central air conditioning in their facilities and offices. HVAC equipment uses the HCFC refrigerant gas R-22, covered by the government's phase out program. A great many industries, ranging from hotels, hospitals, restaurants, offices, retail stores and food processors will be directly affected by the regulation. Facilities that use equipment which contains hydrochlorofluorocarbons are required by the HCFC phase out to keep detailed and up-to-date maintenance records. Should leaks occur they must be fixed within 30 days. All business locations are required to report, in order to track refrigerant use as well as leaks through an entire system. Substantial fines will be imposed by the EPA for noncompliance.
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