Background and Resources
On this page:
- Title VI of the Clean Air Act
- MVAC Rulemakings
- MVAC Regulatory Requirements
- Clean Air Act Enforcement
- Additional MVAC Resources
Title VI of the Clean Air Act
EPA regulations under Title VI of the Clean Air Act are designed to protect the ozone layer and to provide for a smooth transition away from ozone-depleting substances.
CAA section 609, included under Title VI of the CAA, directs EPA to issue regulations establishing standards and requirements for the servicing of motor vehicle air conditioners (MVACs) Under CAA section 609, persons servicing or repairing MVACs for consideration (i.e. payment) that involves the refrigerant must use approved refrigerant recovery or recycling equipment, and must be properly trained and certified.
MVAC Rulemakings
This table provides a summary of all Clean Air Act Section 609 final rules issued since 1992.
| Date | Type | Description of Rule | Federal Register Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/23/2021 | Final Rule | Adopted three SAE standards (SAE J2843, SAE J2851, and SAE J3030) for equipment that recovers, recycles, and/or recharges HFO-1234yf in MVAC systems. | 86 FR 15587 |
| 6/18/2008 | Final Rule | Adopted SAE standard J2810 for HFC-134a recovery equipment. SAE standard J2810 superseded J1732. | 73 FR 34644 |
| 11/9/2007 | Final Rule | Adopted SAE standard J2788 for HFC-134a recover/recycle/recharge equipment. SAE standard J2788 superseded J2210. | 72 FR 63490 |
| 12/30/1997 | Final Rule | Adopted SAE standards and established requirements for the servicing of MVACs that use any refrigerant other than CFC–12. | 62 FR 68026 |
| 5/2/1995 | Final Rule | Adopted SAE standards J1989 and J2209 for CFC-12 recover-only equipment. | 60 FR 21682 |
| 7/14/1992 | Final Rule | Established standards and requirements for MVAC servicing and restricted the sale of small containers of ozone-depleting substances. Also required technicians to be trained and certified and use certified equipment. | 57 FR 31242 |
MVAC Regulatory Requirements
Clean Air Act Enforcement
As noted above, EPA regulations under Title VI of the Clean Air Act are designed to protect the ozone layer and to provide for a smooth transition away from ozone-depleting substances.
EPA is charged with enforcing these regulations. Enforcement actions range from civil fines to criminal prosecutions. Enforcement is performed within EPA by the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
If you suspect or witness unlawful releases of ODS refrigerant or other violations of CAA regulations, report an environmental violation to EPA. See a list of fugitives accused of violating environmental laws, including smuggling ODS and evading arrest, for more information.
Additional MVAC Resources
- Section 609 Technician Training and Certification Programs
- Section 609 Certified Equipment
- Overlap between Section 608 and Section 609
- Guidance For Safe Handling of Refrigerant-containing Appliances/Vehicles After Natural Disasters (pdf) (28.56 KB)
- Case Study: Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Servicing among Tribal Technicians