WHAT IS THE AIM ACT?

The American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, enacted by Congress on December 27, 2020, provides the authority for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase down production and consumption of HFC based refrigerants to 15% of their baseline levels by 2036.  The EPA’s active phase down regulations will usher in the use of more climate friendly and efficient natural refrigerants for use in sustainable and environmentally friendly cooling, refrigeration and heat pump systems, forever changing your cooling system for the better, never requiring a change of refrigerants again.

-Gary Schrift, President of International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration 

 

On December 27, 2020, Congress enacted the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, which directs Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) through:

  • Phasing down the production and consumption of HFCs by 85% by 2036
  • Facilitate the transition to next-generation technologies through sector-based restrictions
  • Establish regulatory requirements for the management of refrigerants to maximize reclamation and minimize releases from equipment

With the inevitable phasedown of HFCs, most end users will have to choose between All-Natural Refrigerants or HFOs.

All-Natural Refrigerants or HFOs?

All Natural Refrigerants
  • Naturally occurring refrigerants with little to no Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) or Global Warming Potential (GWP).
  • All-natural refrigerants are future-proof and will never be regulated out of the refrigerant market
  • All-Natural Refrigerants are sustainable, and they often are more energy-efficient and cost-effective.
  • Any risks can be mitigated by following standards established by the International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration (IIAR).
  • IIAR is the world’s leading advocate for the safe and sustainable use of all-natural refrigerants.
HFOs
  • HFOs are considered “fourth generation” refrigerants made of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon.
  • Developed to replace CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs deemed environmentally harmful by the Montreal Protocol.
  • HFOs contain PFAs, or forever chemicals, known to accumulate in the human body over time.
  • The European Parliament approved the ban on both HFCs and HFOs.
  • Other countries and states will likely implement either phase-down or phase-out legislation of HFOs over the next decade.

How Do I Make the Switch to All-Natural Refrigerants?

Use the Natural Refrigeration Directory

The Natural Refrigeration Directory is a comprehensive listing with contact information of IIAR verified group company members who are experts in the field of All-Natural Refrigeration. There you can find a vendor who can help you go forward naturally.

Directory

Become a Member of IIAR

  • FREE eReader access to all IIAR Standards
  • FREE access to 1 IIAR Academy of Natural Refrigerants certificate course per member – members choice – PDH Credits apply
  • FREE access to 1 IIAR Training Video Series per member – members choice – PDH Credits apply
  • FREE access to the IIAR Conference Technical Content online
JOIN IIAR

Get the Facts

Download the AIM Act Fact sheet to see more details on how the AIM Act may affect you and your business. 

 

Download AIM Act Fact Sheet

 

Refrigerant Evaluation

Tool IIAR has built a fact-based tool that will help users make an informed decision regarding refrigerant selection.

 

Visit Evaluation Tool

Learn More About the AIM Act

Stay on top of the latest AIM Act news and learn more about it on IIAR’s website.

AIM Act News