Since November 15, 1995, it has been illegal to knowingly vent which refrigerants during service, maintenance, or disposal?
Explanation
The venting prohibition originally covered CFCs and HCFCs, and effective November 15, 1995 it was extended to their non-exempt substitutes, which includes most HFCs such as R-410A and R-134a. It is not limited to CFCs, automotive systems, or large systems. Only a small number of substitutes that EPA has specifically exempted may be released, and even then good practice is to avoid venting.
Law Reference: 40 CFR §82.154This topic, taught in full in the EPA Section 608 Certification guide. EPA 608 Universal Study Guide (2026) — Core + Type I/II/III, with the 2027 A2L update — PDF + EPUB, $14.99 · 14-day refund →
Practice all 240 questions free — no signup required.
Own the complete EPA Section 608 Certification guide — PDF + EPUB, $14.99 →
Related questions on this topic
- The 'three R's' of responsible refrigerant management are:
- What is the difference between recycling and reclaiming refrigerant?
- A technician is about to replace a compressor on a residential R-410A split system. Before opening the sealed system, the technician must:
- A small household refrigerator contains less than 5 pounds of refrigerant. Which certification type covers recovering refrigerant from this small appliance?
- A technician who services rooftop package units charged with R-410A (a high-pressure refrigerant) needs which certification type at minimum?
- A technician services a large centrifugal chiller that uses R-123, a low-pressure refrigerant. Which certification type is required?
Last reviewed: · editorial process