ACtion Magazine - May 2017 - 20

Global Service Horizons

For those unable to attend this year, here is a detailed
look at the 2017 Trade Show and related discussions.

Leveraging the Past ... Managing the Present ...
Building the Future
Trade Show Day began with a panel in the general session that updated the industry on regulatory matters and
service issues during the past year, along with a glimpse of
the future. Several presenters comprised 2017's panel of
experts, which was moderated by Ward Atkinson, MACS
senior technical advisor:
* Chenise Farquharson and Paul-Harvey Weiner, from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), updated attendees regarding
regulations and activities related to sections of
the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA). Farquharson reviewed CAA Section 612- The Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program,
while Weiner addressed changes and activities
related to CAA Section 608 - Refrigerant Recycling and Emissions Reduction and CAA Section 609 - Servicing of Motor Vehicle Air Conditioners.
* Tao Zhan, an air resources engineer at the
California Air Resources Board (CARB), shared
changes and activities from the State of California's perspective.
* Robert Brocx, Red Dot Corp.'s technical steward, SAE member, and member of the
MACS Working Group, updated the attendees
about the progress toward a heavy-duty vehicle
A/C service standard by the SAE HFTC6 Committee and MACS Working Group.
* Finally, Ward Atkinson provided an industry
update of MACS and SAE activities, as well as a
number of service-related issues compiled from
in-filed reports gathered during the past year.

coming emissions and fuel economy mandates.
She also reported that the EPA's final SNAP Rule became effective in December 2016. Intended to improve
compliance, the rule removed obsolete requirements and
clarified the maintenance, service, repair and disposal of
refrigerants, A/C equipment and hardware.
"Effective Jan. 3, 2017, HFC-134a will be unacceptable
for use in new light-duty vehicles dated MY2021 or newer. Low global warming potential HFO-1234yf is listed as
acceptable, subject to specified use conditions, in newly
manufactured light-duty passenger vehicles and trucks. It
is also listed as acceptable, subject to specific use conditions, for limited use in certain medium-duty passenger
vehicles, as well as certain heavy-duty trucks and vans."
"Finally, under the SNAP rule, CAA "violations of use"
now include: (1) modifying fittings; (2) using an adapter
to use an unauthorized refrigerant; and (3) removing and
replacing a low-GWP refrigerant with any other refrigerant that has a higher GWP (including HFC-134a)."

EPA

fied the year before, to the regulatory and industry updates
panels and keynotes that point to future needs and trends
- the MACS gathering reminds us of our legacy and
guides our resources, competencies, and actions forward.

The EPA provided these resources for those seeking information about MVAC system servicing and the ﬁnal SNAP rule.

EPA Finalizes SNAP Rule, Waits for
New Administrator

Section 609 to Reflect New SAE Standards,
Section 608 Finalized

In regards to the EPA activities during 2016, Farquharson acknowledged the displeasure expressed by motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) professionals concerning
the early-2016 decision to allow the sale of small cans of
R-1234yf to consumers, who were exempted from having
the mandated training, certification and equipment that
MVAC professionals are required to have. Likewise, she
noted that some automakers remained apprehensive about

"In consideration of CAA Section 609, the EPA is considering rule changes that would incorporate by reference
three new SAE standards for MVAC servicing equipment,"
Weiner advised. "These standards include:
* SAE J2843 - R-1234yf Recovery/Recycling/
Recharging Equipment for Flammable Refrigerants for Mobile Air-Conditioning Systems.
* SAE J2851 - Recovery Equipment for Con-

ACTION * May 2017

http://www.epa.gov/snap https://www.epa.gov/mvac

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - May 2017