EPA 608 Core study guide
The Core section covers what every Section 608 technician must know. This guide follows the Core test topics EPA publishes for the Section 608 exam: environmental impacts, the Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol, the Section 608 regulations, substitute refrigerants and oils, refrigeration, the three Rs, recovery techniques, dehydration evacuation, safety and shipping. Every point below links to the rule text in 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F or to an EPA page, with the exact words that support it.
Environmental impacts
Most ozone in the atmosphere is concentrated in a layer in the stratosphere, about 9 to 18 miles (15 to 30 km) above the Earth's surface.
“Most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in a layer in the stratosphere, about 9 to 18 miles (15 to 30 km) above the Earth's surface”
Some human-made chemicals that contain chlorine and bromine can deplete stratospheric ozone.
“certain human-made chemicals containing chlorine and bromine can cause the depletion of stratospheric ozone”
EPA explains that once these chemicals are released at the Earth's surface, they eventually move up to the stratosphere, where ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun turns them into reactive gases that destroy ozone.
“Once released at Earth’s surface, they eventually migrate upwards to the stratosphere, where ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun converts them into reactive gases that destroy ozone.”
EPA states that one chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules before it is removed from the stratosphere.
“One chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules before it is removed from the stratosphere.”
Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) that release chlorine include CFCs, HCFCs, carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform; ODS that release bromine include halons and methyl bromide.
“ODS that release chlorine include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform. ODS that release bromine include halons and methyl bromide.”
Ozone layer depletion increases the amount of UVB radiation that reaches the Earth's surface.
“Ozone layer depletion increases the amount of UVB that reaches the Earth’s surface.”
EPA: Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
For people, EPA says UVB causes non-melanoma skin cancer, plays a major role in malignant melanoma and has been linked to cataracts.
“Laboratory and epidemiological studies demonstrate that UVB causes non-melanoma skin cancer and plays a major role in malignant melanoma development. Of the human health effects from sun exposure, melanoma is the most lethal, causing nearly 8,500 deaths annually in the United States. In addition, UVB has been linked to the development of cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens.”
EPA: Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
UVB also affects plants: it affects their physiological and developmental processes.
“UVB radiation affects the physiological and developmental processes of plants.”
EPA: Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
In marine animals such as fish, shrimp and crab, EPA names decreased reproductive capacity and impaired larval development as the most severe effects of UVB.
“The most severe effects are decreased reproductive capacity and impaired larval development.”
EPA: Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
Not covered here
How CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs compare in ozone depletion potential and global warming potential, and HFCs' effect on climate. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987. It was the first step in international efforts to protect stratospheric ozone.
“signed in 1987, was the first step in international efforts to protect stratospheric ozone.”
EPA: International Treaties and Cooperation about the Protection of the Stratospheric Ozone Layer
Under the original Montreal Protocol (1987), developed countries were required to begin phasing out CFCs in 1993.
“developed countries were required to begin phasing out CFCs in 1993”
EPA: International Treaties and Cooperation about the Protection of the Stratospheric Ozone Layer
The Kigali Amendment (2016) extended the Protocol to phase down production and consumption of HFCs.
“The Kigali Amendment (2016) extended controls to phase down the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)”
EPA: International Treaties and Cooperation about the Protection of the Stratospheric Ozone Layer
Class I substances (primarily CFCs) have been completely phased out, except for limited exemptions allowed under the Montreal Protocol.
“have been completely phased out, except for limited exemptions allowed under the Montreal Protocol.”
New production and import of most HCFCs were phased out as of 2020.
“New production and import of most HCFCs were phased out as of 2020.”
U.S. production and import of HCFC-22 (R-22) ended on January 1, 2020.
“U.S. production and import of HCFC-22 ended on January 1, 2020,”
In a February 2020 fact sheet, EPA said that recovered and reclaimed R-22, along with R-22 produced before 2020, will help meet the needs of owners of existing R-22 systems.
“will help meet the needs of owners of existing HCFC-22 systems.”
The purpose of the Section 608 rules is to reduce emissions of class I and class II refrigerants and their non-exempt substitutes to the lowest achievable level, by maximizing recapture and recycling during maintenance, service, repair and disposal and by restricting refrigerant sales, in accordance with Title VI of the Clean Air Act.
“The purpose of this subpart is to reduce emissions of class I and class II refrigerants and their non-exempt substitutes to the lowest achievable level by maximizing the recapture and recycling of such refrigerants during the maintenance, service, repair, and disposal of appliances and restricting the sale of refrigerants consisting in whole or in part of a class I or class II ozone-depleting substance or their non-exempt substitutes in accordance with Title VI of the Clean Air Act.”
No one maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of an appliance or industrial process refrigeration may knowingly vent or release its refrigerant into the environment.
“No person maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of an appliance or industrial process refrigeration may knowingly vent or otherwise release into the environment any refrigerant from such appliances.”
Knowingly releasing a class I, class II or non-exempt substitute refrigerant after it has been recovered from an appliance also violates the venting prohibition.
“The knowing release of a class I or class II refrigerant or a non-exempt substitute refrigerant after its recovery from an appliance is a violation of the venting prohibition.”
De minimis releases during good faith attempts to recycle or recover refrigerant are not subject to the venting prohibition. Except for exempt substitutes, releases count as de minimis only if they occur under the conditions the rule lists (next point).
“De minimis releases associated with good faith attempts to recycle or recover refrigerants are not subject to this prohibition. Except for exempt substitutes, refrigerant releases are de minimis only if they occur when:”
Those conditions are either: the applicable practices in §§ 82.155 and 82.156 (and § 82.157 for appliances with class I or class II refrigerant) are observed, recovery and/or recycling machines meeting § 82.158 are used whenever refrigerant is removed, and the technician certification (§ 82.161) and reclamation (§ 82.164) requirements are observed; or the requirements of subpart B (motor vehicle air conditioners) are observed.
“The applicable practices in §§ 82.155 and 82.156 are observed, the applicable practices in § 82.157 are observed for appliances that contain any class I or class II refrigerant or blend containing a class I or class II refrigerant, recovery and/or recycling machines that meet the requirements in § 82.158 are used whenever refrigerant is removed from an appliance, the technician certification provisions in § 82.161 are observed, and the reclamation requirements in § 82.164 are observed; or (ii) The requirements in subpart B of this part are observed.”
Not covered here
The dates the venting prohibition took effect, the CFC phaseout dates in the U.S., and the maximum Clean Air Act penalty amount (no current EPA Section 608 page or Subpart F text we checked states the dollar figure). We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Section 608 regulations
An appliance is any device that contains and uses a class I or class II substance or a substitute as a refrigerant and is used for household or commercial purposes, including any air conditioner, motor vehicle air conditioner, refrigerator, chiller or freezer.
“Appliance means any device which contains and uses a class I or class II substance or substitute as a refrigerant and which is used for household or commercial purposes, including any air conditioner, motor vehicle air conditioner, refrigerator, chiller, or freezer.”
For a system with multiple circuits, each independent circuit counts as a separate appliance.
“For a system with multiple circuits, each independent circuit is considered a separate appliance.”
A high-pressure appliance uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure between 170 and 355 psia at 104 °F, such as R-22, R-407A, R-407C, R-410A or R-502.
“High-pressure appliance means an appliance that uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure between 170 psia and 355 psia at 104 °F. Examples include but are not limited to appliances using R-22, R-407A, R-407C, R-410A, and R-502.”
A very high-pressure appliance uses a refrigerant with a critical temperature below 104 °F, or a saturation pressure above 355 psia at 104 °F, such as R-13, R-23, R-503, R-508A or R-508B.
“Very high-pressure appliance means an appliance that uses a refrigerant with a critical temperature below 104 °F or with a liquid phase saturation pressure above 355 psia at 104 °F. Examples include but are not limited to appliances using R-13, R-23, R-503, R-508A, and R-508B.”
A medium-pressure appliance uses a refrigerant with a saturation pressure between 45 and 170 psia at 104 °F, such as R-114, R-124, R-12, R-134a or R-500.
“Medium-pressure appliance means an appliance that uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure between 45 psia and 170 psia at 104 °F. Examples include but are not limited to appliances using R-114, R-124, R-12, R-134a, and R-500.”
A low-pressure appliance uses a refrigerant with a saturation pressure below 45 psia at 104 °F, such as R-11, R-123, R-113 or R-245fa.
“Low-pressure appliance means an appliance that uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure below 45 psia at 104 °F. Examples include but are not limited to appliances using R-11, R-123, R-113, and R-245fa.”
A small appliance is fully manufactured, charged and hermetically sealed in a factory with 5 pounds or less of refrigerant (for example refrigerators, window air conditioners, dehumidifiers, vending machines).
“Small appliance means any appliance that is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with five (5) pounds or less of refrigerant, including, but not limited to, refrigerators and freezers (designed for home, commercial, or consumer use), medical or industrial research refrigeration equipment, room air conditioners (including window air conditioners, portable air conditioners, and packaged terminal air heat pumps), dehumidifiers, under-the-counter ice makers, vending machines, and drinking water coolers.”
Subpart F applies to anyone maintaining, servicing or repairing appliances that contain class I, class II or non-exempt substitute refrigerants.
“This subpart applies to any person maintaining, servicing, or repairing appliances containing class I, class II or non-exempt substitute refrigerants.”
It also applies to people disposing of such appliances (including small appliances and MVACs), refrigerant reclaimers, technician certifying programs, appliance owners and operators, appliance and recovery equipment manufacturers, approved equipment testing organizations, and people buying or selling these refrigerants.
“This subpart also applies to persons disposing of such appliances (including small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioners), refrigerant reclaimers, technician certifying programs, appliance owners and operators, manufacturers of appliances, manufacturers of recovery and/or recycling equipment, approved recovery and/or recycling equipment testing organizations, and persons buying, selling, or offering to sell class I, class II, or non-exempt substitute refrigerants.”
Anyone who maintains, services or repairs small appliances must be certified as a Type I technician.
“Persons who maintain, service, or repair small appliances must be certified as Type I technicians.”
Anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of medium-, high- or very high-pressure appliances (except small appliances, MVACs and MVAC-like appliances) must be certified as a Type II technician.
“Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of medium-, high-, or very high-pressure appliances (except small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances) must be certified as Type II technicians.”
Anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of low-pressure appliances must be certified as a Type III technician.
“Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of low-pressure appliances must be certified as Type III technicians.”
Anyone who works on all of the appliances covered by Types I, II and III must be certified as a Universal technician.
“Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of all appliances described in paragraph (a)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section must be certified as Universal technicians.”
People who dispose of small appliances, MVACs and MVAC-like appliances do not need to be certified.
“Persons who dispose of small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances are not required to be certified.”
Certified technicians must keep a copy of their certificate at their place of business.
“Technicians certified under this section must keep a copy of their certificate at their place of business.”
Technicians must keep a copy of their certificate until three years after they stop working as a technician.
“Technicians must maintain a copy of their certificate until three years after no longer operating as a technician.”
No one may maintain, service, repair or dispose of an appliance containing class I, class II or non-exempt substitute refrigerant without observing the applicable practices in §§ 82.155, 82.156 and 82.157 and using recovery and/or recycling equipment certified for that type of refrigerant and appliance under § 82.158.
“No person may maintain, service, repair, or dispose of an appliance containing a class I or class II refrigerant or a non-exempt substitute refrigerant without: (1) Observing the applicable practices in §§ 82.155, 82.156, and 82.157; and (2) Using recovery and/or recycling equipment that is certified for that type of refrigerant and appliance under § 82.158.”
Recovery and/or recycling equipment may not be made or imported unless it is certified under 40 CFR 82.158.
“No person may manufacture or import recovery and/or recycling equipment for use during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of appliances unless the equipment is certified in accordance with this section.”
Manufacturers and importers must have this equipment certified by an approved equipment testing organization.
“Manufacturers and importers of recovery and/or recycling equipment must have such equipment certified by an approved equipment testing organization as follows:”
Recovery and/or recycling equipment made or imported on or after January 1, 2017 for appliances other than small appliances, MVACs and MVAC-like appliances must be certified as reaching the Table 2 levels under appendix B3 (non-flammable refrigerants) or appendix B4 (flammable refrigerants).
“Recovery and/or recycling equipment manufactured or imported on or after January 1, 2017, intended for use during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of appliances (except small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances) must be certified by an approved equipment testing organization as being capable of achieving the level of evacuation specified in Table 2 of this section under the conditions of appendix B3 (for non-flammable refrigerants) based upon AHRI Standard 740-2016 or appendix B4 (for flammable refrigerants) of this subpart.”
Manufacturers and importers of equipment certified under 82.158(d) or (e) must label each piece stating that the named approved equipment testing organization certified it to meet EPA's minimum requirements for recycling or recovery equipment for the appropriate category of appliance.
“Manufacturers and importers of equipment certified under paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section must place a label on each piece of equipment stating the following: THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY [APPROVED EQUIPMENT TESTING ORGANIZATION] TO MEET EPA's MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR RECYCLING OR RECOVERY EQUIPMENT INTENDED FOR USE WITH [APPROPRIATE CATEGORY OF APPLIANCE].”
The label must also show the date of manufacture and the serial number (if applicable).
“The label must also show the date of manufacture and the serial number (if applicable) of the equipment.”
The label must be attached so that it cannot be removed from the equipment without damaging the label.
“be affixed in such a way that it cannot be removed from the equipment without damage to the label.”
Certified recovery and/or recycling equipment for appliances other than small appliances, MVACs and MVAC-like appliances must have low-loss fittings on all hoses.
“The equipment must be equipped with low-loss fittings on all hoses.”
Anyone reclaiming used class I, class II or non-exempt substitute refrigerant for sale to a new owner must reclaim it to the applicable specifications in appendix A (based on AHRI Standard 700-2016).
“Reclaim such refrigerant to all the specifications in appendix A of this subpart (based on AHRI Standard 700-2016, Specifications for Refrigerants) that are applicable to that refrigerant;”
They must verify that each batch meets those specifications using the analytical methodology in appendix A.
“Verify that each batch of such refrigerant reclaimed meets these specifications using the analytical methodology prescribed in appendix A of this subpart”
Anyone reclaiming used refrigerant for sale to a new owner may release no more than 1.5 percent of the refrigerant during the reclamation process.
“Release no more than 1.5 percent of the refrigerant during the reclamation process;”
Used class I, class II or non-exempt substitute refrigerant may be sold or distributed for use as a refrigerant only if a certified reclaimer has reclaimed it, or one of the other cases listed in the rule applies (next two points).
“No person may sell or distribute, or offer for sale or distribution, for use as a refrigerant any class I or class II substance or non-exempt substitute consisting wholly or in part of used refrigerant unless the refrigerant: (1) Has been reclaimed by a person who has been certified as a reclaimer under § 82.164;”
One such case: the refrigerant was used only in an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance, is to be used only in one, and is recycled under subpart B. Another: it is contained in an appliance sold or offered for sale together with a fully assembled refrigerant circuit.
“was used only in an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance and is to be used only in an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance and recycled in accordance with 40 CFR part 82, subpart B; (3) is contained in an appliance that is sold or offered for sale together with a fully assembled refrigerant circuit;”
The other cases are transfers between or among a parent company and its subsidiaries (or subsidiaries of the same parent), and transfers between or among a Federal agency or department and facilities it owns.
“is being transferred between or among a parent company and one or more of its subsidiaries, or between or among subsidiaries having the same parent company; or (5) is being transferred between or among a Federal agency or department and a facility or facilities owned by the same Federal agency or department.”
Sales restriction: refrigerant containing a class I or class II substance, and since January 1, 2018 any non-exempt substitute, may be sold only to certified technicians or under the other listed exceptions.
“No person may sell or distribute, or offer for sale or distribution, any substance that consists in whole or in part of a class I or class II substance or, starting on January 1, 2018, any non-exempt substitute for use as a refrigerant unless:”
A buyer who is not certified can still buy if they employ at least one certified technician and give the seller proof.
“The buyer employs at least one technician who is certified as a Type I, Type II, Type III, or Universal technician under § 82.161 and provides proof of such to the seller;”
EPA notes that Section 609 (motor vehicle) certified technicians cannot buy refrigerant intended for stationary equipment.
“Section 609 certified technicians cannot purchase refrigerants that are intended for use with stationary equipment”
Appliances other than small appliances (and other than appliances containing only exempt refrigerants) may be sold only if they have a servicing aperture, so refrigerant can be removed at servicing and disposal.
“No person may sell or distribute, or offer for sale or distribution, any appliance (except small appliances and appliances containing only refrigerants that have been exempted under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) unless it is equipped with a servicing aperture to facilitate the removal of refrigerant at servicing and disposal.”
Small appliances (except those containing only exempt refrigerants) may be sold only if they have a process stub, so refrigerant can be removed at servicing and disposal.
“No person may sell or distribute, or offer for sale or distribution, any small appliance (except appliances containing only refrigerants that have been exempted under paragraph (a)(1) of this section) unless it is equipped with a process stub to facilitate the removal of refrigerant at servicing and disposal.”
A leak inspection is an examination of an appliance to find where refrigerant leaks are. Methods include ultrasonic tests, gas-imaging cameras, bubble tests as appropriate, or a leak detection device operated and maintained according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
“Leak inspection means the examination of an appliance to determine the location of refrigerant leaks. Potential methods include, but are not limited to, ultrasonic tests, gas-imaging cameras, bubble tests as appropriate, or the use of a leak detection device operated and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines.”
Methods that only show whether an appliance is leaking (pressure or vacuum decay tests, sight glass checks, receiver levels, pressure checks, charging charts) must be used together with a method that locates the leak.
“Methods that determine whether the appliance is leaking refrigerant but not the location of a leak, such as standing pressure/vacuum decay tests, sight glass checks, viewing receiver levels, pressure checks, and charging charts, must be used in conjunction with methods that can determine the location of a leak.”
An initial verification test is a leak test done after the repair and before refrigerant is added back.
“Initial verification test means those leak tests that are conducted after the repair is finished to verify that a leak or leaks have been repaired before refrigerant is added back to the appliance.”
A follow-up verification test checks the repairs after a successful initial verification test, once the appliance has returned to normal operating characteristics and conditions.
“Follow-up verification test means those tests that involve checking the repairs to an appliance after a successful initial verification test and after the appliance has returned to normal operating characteristics and conditions to verify that the repairs were successful.”
Methods for follow-up verification tests include soap bubbles, electronic or ultrasonic leak detectors, pressure or vacuum tests, fluorescent dye and black light, infrared or near infrared tests, and handheld gas detection devices.
“Potential methods for follow-up verification tests include, but are not limited to, the use of soap bubbles as appropriate, electronic or ultrasonic leak detectors, pressure or vacuum tests, fluorescent dye and black light, infrared or near infrared tests, and handheld gas detection devices.”
Substitute refrigerants and oils
A substitute is any chemical or product used as a refrigerant to replace a class I or II ozone-depleting substance, such as HFCs, HFOs, hydrocarbons, ammonia, carbon dioxide and blends.
“Substitute means any chemical or product, whether existing or new, that is used as a refrigerant to replace a class I or II ozone-depleting substance. Examples include, but are not limited to hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroolefins, hydrofluoroethers, hydrocarbons, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and blends thereof.”
To retrofit is to convert an appliance from one refrigerant to another. Retrofitting includes making the appliance compatible with the new refrigerant and may include changes in lubricants, gaskets, filters, driers, valves, o-rings or components.
“Retrofit means to convert an appliance from one refrigerant to another refrigerant. Retrofitting includes the conversion of the appliance to achieve system compatibility with the new refrigerant and may include, but is not limited to, changes in lubricants, gaskets, filters, driers, valves, o-rings or appliance components.”
Carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water are exempt from the venting prohibition and from Subpart F in any application.
“the following substitutes in the following end-uses are exempt from this prohibition and from the requirements of this subpart: (i) Carbon dioxide in any application; (ii) Nitrogen in any application; (iii) Water in any application;”
Ammonia is exempt only in commercial or industrial process refrigeration or in absorption units.
“Ammonia in commercial or industrial process refrigeration or in absorption units;”
Isobutane (R-600a) is exempt only in stand-alone retail food refrigerators and freezers; household refrigerators, freezers and combination refrigerator-freezers; and vending machines.
“Isobutane (R-600a) in retail food refrigerators and freezers (stand-alone units only); household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators and freezers; and vending machines;”
Propane (R-290) is exempt only in stand-alone retail food refrigerators and freezers; household refrigerators and freezers; self-contained room air conditioners and heat pumps for residential and light commercial use; vending machines; self-contained commercial ice machines; very low temperature refrigeration equipment; water coolers; and, since July 15, 2024, refrigerated food processing and dispensing equipment.
“Propane (R-290) in retail food refrigerators and freezers—stand-alone units; household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators and freezers; self-contained room air conditioners for residential and light commercial air-conditioning and heat pumps; vending machines; self-contained commercial ice machines, very low temperature refrigeration equipment, and water coolers; and effective July 15, 2024, retail food refrigeration—refrigerated food processing and dispensing equipment;”
R-441A is exempt only in stand-alone retail food refrigerators and freezers; household refrigerators and freezers; self-contained room air conditioners for residential and light commercial use; heat pumps; and vending machines.
“R-441A in retail food refrigerators and freezers (stand-alone units only); household refrigerators, freezers, and combination refrigerators and freezers; self-contained room air conditioners for residential and light commercial air-conditioning; heat pumps; and vending machines.”
"Exempt substitutes" are the substitutes and end-uses listed in § 82.154(a)(1) as exempt from the venting prohibition and Subpart F; "non-exempt substitutes" are all other substitutes and end-uses.
“the term “exempt substitutes” refers to certain substitutes when used in certain end-uses that are specified in § 82.154(a)(1) as exempt from the venting prohibition and the requirements of this subpart, and the term “non-exempt substitutes” refers to all other substitutes and end-uses not so specified in § 82.154(a)(1).”
Since January 1, 2018, the evacuation requirements apply to appliances with non-exempt substitute refrigerants (such as HFCs), not only class I and class II refrigerants.
“Starting on January 1, 2018, this section applies to evacuation of refrigerant from appliances containing any class I or class II refrigerant or any non-exempt substitute refrigerant,”
Not covered here
Why substitutes are not drop-in replacements, which lubricants (mineral, alkylbenzene, POE, PAG) go with which refrigerants, and fractionation or temperature glide of blends during leaks. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Refrigeration
Not covered here
The refrigeration cycle itself (refrigerant states and pressures in each part of the system), pressure-temperature relationships, and how to read or connect gauge manifolds. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
The three Rs: recover, recycle, reclaim
Recover: remove refrigerant in any condition from an appliance and store it in an external container, without necessarily testing or processing it.
“Recover means to remove refrigerant in any condition from an appliance and to store it in an external container without necessarily testing or processing it in any way.”
Recycle: extract refrigerant from an appliance (except MVACs) and clean it for reuse in equipment of the same owner, without meeting all reclamation requirements.
“Recycle, when referring to refrigerant, means to extract refrigerant from an appliance (except MVACs) and clean it for reuse in equipment of the same owner without meeting all of the requirements for reclamation.”
Recycled refrigerant is generally cleaned by oil separation and one or more passes through devices such as replaceable core filter-driers, which reduce moisture, acidity and particulates.
“In general, recycled refrigerant is cleaned using oil separation and single or multiple passes through devices, such as replaceable core filter-driers, which reduce moisture, acidity, and particulate matter.”
Reclaim: reprocess recovered refrigerant to all the applicable specifications in appendix A (based on AHRI Standard 700-2016) and verify it with the analytical methodology in section 5 of appendix A.
“Reclaim means to reprocess recovered refrigerant to all of the specifications in appendix A of this subpart (based on AHRI Standard 700-2016, Specifications for Refrigerants) that are applicable to that refrigerant and to verify that the refrigerant meets these specifications using the analytical methodology prescribed in section 5 of appendix A of this subpart.”
Recovered refrigerant may go back into the same appliance, or another appliance of the same owner, without being recycled or reclaimed, unless it is an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance.
“Refrigerant may be returned to the appliance from which it is recovered or to another appliance owned by the same person without being recycled or reclaimed, unless the appliance is an MVAC or MVAC-like appliance.”
Recovery techniques
Before opening or disposing of an appliance (other than small appliances, MVACs and MVAC-like appliances), technicians must evacuate the refrigerant, including all liquid, to the Table 1 levels with certified equipment, unless one of the situations in § 82.156(a)(1) or (a)(2) applies (the leaking-appliance case is described below).
“technicians must evacuate the refrigerant, including all the liquid refrigerant, to the levels in Table 1 using a recovery and/or recycling machine certified pursuant to § 82.158 unless the situations in paragraphs (a)(1) or (2) of this section apply.”
Technicians may evacuate the whole appliance or only the part being serviced, if that part's refrigerant can be isolated to a system receiver. They must verify the required level before opening.
“Technicians may evacuate either the entire appliance or the part to be serviced, if the refrigerant in the part can be isolated to a system receiver. A technician must verify that the applicable level of evacuation has been reached in the appliance or the part before it is opened.”
Connecting and disconnecting hoses and gauges to measure pressures, add refrigerant or recover refrigerant is not "opening an appliance."
“Connecting and disconnecting hoses and gauges to measure pressures, add refrigerant, or recover refrigerant from the appliance are not considered “opening an appliance.””
If leaks make the Table 1 levels unattainable, or reaching them would substantially contaminate the refrigerant, leaking components must be isolated from non-leaking ones wherever possible, and non-leaking components evacuated to Table 1 levels.
“If leaks in the appliance make evacuation to the levels in Table 1 unattainable or would substantially contaminate the refrigerant being recovered, persons opening or disposing of the appliance must: (i) Isolate leaking from non-leaking components wherever possible; (ii) Evacuate non-leaking components to be opened or disposed of to the levels specified in Table 1; and”
Leaking components must then be evacuated to the lowest level reachable without substantially contaminating the refrigerant, and never above 0 psig.
“Evacuate leaking components to be opened or disposed of to the lowest level that can be attained without substantially contaminating the refrigerant. This level may not exceed 0 psig.”
Self-contained recovery equipment can remove refrigerant from an appliance without help from components contained in the appliance.
“Self-contained recovery equipment means refrigerant recovery and/or recycling equipment that is capable of removing the refrigerant from an appliance without the assistance of components contained in the appliance.”
System-dependent recovery equipment needs the help of components contained in the appliance to remove the refrigerant.
“System-dependent recovery equipment means refrigerant recovery equipment that requires the assistance of components contained in an appliance to remove the refrigerant from the appliance.”
System-dependent recovery equipment may not be used on appliances with a full charge of more than 15 pounds, unless it is permanently attached as a pump-out unit.
“System-dependent equipment may not be used with appliances with a full charge of more than 15 pounds of refrigerant, unless the system-dependent equipment is permanently attached to the appliance as a pump-out unit.”
Recovery and recycling equipment must be used according to the manufacturer's directions, unless they conflict with Subpart F.
“All recovery and/or recycling equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's directions unless such directions conflict with the requirements of this subpart.”
Recovery efficiency is the percentage of the refrigerant in an appliance that a piece of recovery or recycling equipment recovers.
“Recovery efficiency means the percentage of refrigerant in an appliance that is recovered by a piece of recovery and/or recycling equipment.”
Not covered here
How to avoid mixing refrigerants in a recovery cylinder, and the factors that affect recovery speed (such as temperature, hose length and diameter). We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Dehydration evacuation
Not covered here
Evacuating a system after service to remove air and moisture (dehydration), including target vacuum levels and how to measure them; Subpart F sets recovery evacuation levels but not dehydration practice. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Safety
Not covered here
Health hazards of refrigerant exposure (such as oxygen displacement and decomposition products), personal protective equipment, recovery and disposable cylinder types and handling, cylinder filling limits, and which gases and pressure controls are safe for leak testing. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Shipping
Not covered here
Labeling and paperwork for shipping refrigerant cylinders; these come from U.S. Department of Transportation rules, not Section 608. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- EPA: Basic Ozone Layer ScienceChecked November 6, 2026
- EPA: Information on Ozone and Ozone DepletionChecked November 6, 2026
- EPA: Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer DepletionChecked November 6, 2026
- EPA: International Treaties and Cooperation about the Protection of the Stratospheric Ozone LayerChecked November 5, 2026
- EPA: Phaseout of ODS Under the Clean Air ActChecked November 5, 2026
- EPA: Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)Checked November 5, 2026
- EPA: Residential Air Conditioning and the Phaseout of HCFC-22: What You Need to Know (PDF, February 2020)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 40 CFR 82.150, Purpose and scope (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 40 CFR 82.154, Prohibitions (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 40 CFR 82.152, Definitions (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 40 CFR 82.161, Technician certification (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 40 CFR 82.158, Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 40 CFR 82.164, Reclaimer certification (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- EPA: Refrigerant Sales RestrictionChecked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 40 CFR 82.156, Proper evacuation of refrigerant from appliances (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026