EPA 608 leak repair requirements
This page covers the appliance maintenance and leak repair rules in 40 CFR 82.157, with the leak rate definition from 40 CFR 82.152. Each point quotes the rule and links to it.
The short answer
The leak repair rules apply to appliances with a full charge of 50 or more pounds of class I or class II refrigerant, or of a blend containing one, not to appliances that contain only substitute refrigerants. The leak rate limits are 20 percent for commercial refrigeration, 30 percent for industrial process refrigeration and 10 percent for comfort cooling and other appliances. The owner or operator must identify and repair leaks within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) of when refrigerant is added to an appliance exceeding its leak rate, unless more time is allowed under the extension rules or the owner or operator elects to retrofit or retire the appliance.
Each part of this answer is quoted from the rule below.
Which appliances are covered
Since April 10, 2020, the leak repair rules apply only to appliances with a full charge of 50 or more pounds of class I or class II refrigerant, or of a blend containing a class I or class II refrigerant.
“As of April 10, 2020, this section applies only to appliances with a full charge of 50 or more pounds of any class I or class II refrigerant or blend containing a class I or class II refrigerant.”
The leak repair rules do not apply to appliances that contain only substitute refrigerants.
“Notwithstanding the use of the term refrigerant in this section, the requirements of this section do not apply to appliances containing solely substitute refrigerants.”
Unless the rule says otherwise, the leak repair duties fall on the owner or operator of the appliance.
“Unless otherwise specified, the requirements of this section apply to the owner or operator of the appliance.”
Full charge is the amount of refrigerant the appliance needs for normal operating characteristics and conditions. It is determined with one or a combination of four methods listed in the rule.
“Full charge means the amount of refrigerant required for normal operating characteristics and conditions of the appliance as determined by using one or a combination of the following four methods:”
Leak rate thresholds
An appliance with a leak rate over its threshold must be repaired, unless the owner or operator chooses to retrofit or retire it.
“Owners or operators must repair appliances with a leak rate over the applicable leak rate in this paragraph in accordance with paragraphs (d) through (f) of this section unless the owner or operator elects to retrofit or retire the appliance in compliance with paragraphs (h) and (i) of this section.”
Commercial refrigeration equipment: the applicable leak rate is 20 percent (first entry in the leak rate list in 82.157(c)(2), the rates the previous point refers to).
“20 percent leak rate for commercial refrigeration equipment;”
Industrial process refrigeration equipment: the applicable leak rate is 30 percent (second entry in the same 82.157(c)(2) list).
“30 percent leak rate for industrial process refrigeration equipment; and”
Comfort cooling appliances, and other appliances with a full charge of 50 or more pounds that are not commercial or industrial process refrigeration: the applicable leak rate is 10 percent (third entry in the same 82.157(c)(2) list).
“10 percent leak rate for comfort cooling appliances or other appliances with a full charge of 50 or more pounds of refrigerant not covered by (c)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section.”
Commercial refrigeration means the refrigeration appliances used in the retail food and cold storage warehouse sectors.
“Commercial refrigeration means the refrigeration appliances used in the retail food and cold storage warehouse sectors.”
Comfort cooling means air-conditioning appliances that cool occupied facilities, such as homes, offices and commercial buildings. Examples include chillers, commercial split systems and packaged roof-top units.
“Comfort cooling means the air-conditioning appliances used to provide cooling in order to control heat and/or humidity in occupied facilities including but not limited to residential, office, and commercial buildings. Comfort cooling appliances include but are not limited to chillers, commercial split systems, and packaged roof-top units.”
How the leak rate is calculated
The owner or operator must calculate the leak rate every time refrigerant is added, except right after a retrofit, after installing a new appliance, or when the addition is a seasonal variance.
“The owner or operator must calculate the leak rate every time refrigerant is added to an appliance unless the addition is made immediately following a retrofit, installation of a new appliance, or qualifies as a seasonal variance.”
The leak rate is the percentage of the full charge that would be lost over 12 months if the current rate of loss continued. It is measured between refrigerant charges.
“Leak rate means the rate at which an appliance is losing refrigerant, measured between refrigerant charges. The leak rate is expressed in terms of the percentage of the appliance's full charge that would be lost over a 12-month period if the current rate of loss were to continue over that period.”
The leak rate must be calculated with one of the methods listed in the definition: the annualizing method and the rolling average method, whose steps follow. The same method must be used for all appliances under the leak repair rules at one operating facility.
“The rate must be calculated using one of the following methods. The same method must be used for all appliances subject to the leak repair requirements located at an operating facility.”
Annualizing method (method 1 of the methods referred to in the previous point), step 1: divide the pounds added to return the appliance to full charge (one addition or several for the same leak) by the pounds of its full charge.
“Take the number of pounds of refrigerant added to the appliance to return it to a full charge, whether in one addition or if multiple additions related to same leak, and divide it by the number of pounds of refrigerant the appliance normally contains at full charge;”
Annualizing method, step 2: take the days since refrigerant was last added, or 365 days if that is shorter, and divide by 365.
“Take the shorter of the number of days that have passed since the last day refrigerant was added or 365 days and divide that number by 365 days;”
Annualizing method, step 3: divide the step 1 result by the step 2 result.
“Take the number calculated in Step 1 and divide it by the number calculated in Step 2;”
Annualizing method, step 4: multiply the step 3 result by 100 to get a percentage.
“Multiply the number calculated in Step 3 by 100 to calculate a percentage.”
Rolling average method (method 2 of the methods referred to above), step 1: add up the pounds added over the previous 365 days (or since the last successful follow-up verification test showing all identified leaks repaired, if that is less than a year).
“Take the sum of the pounds of refrigerant added to the appliance over the previous 365-day period (or over the period that has passed since the last successful follow-up verification test showing all identified leaks in the appliance were repaired, if that period is less than one year);”
Rolling average method (method 2 of the methods referred to above), steps 2 and 3: divide the step 1 result by the full charge, then multiply by 100 to get a percentage.
“Divide the result of Step 1 by the pounds of refrigerant the appliance normally contains at full charge; and (iii) Step 3. Multiply the result of Step 2 by 100 to obtain a percentage.”
Purged refrigerant that is destroyed at a verifiable destruction efficiency of 98 percent or more is not counted toward the leak rate.
“In calculating annual leak rates, purged refrigerant that is destroyed at a verifiable destruction efficiency of 98 percent or greater will not be counted toward the leak rate.”
Repair deadlines
The owner or operator must identify and repair leaks within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) of when refrigerant is added to an appliance exceeding its applicable leak rate in 82.157(c). (Extensions and the option to retrofit or retire are covered under their own headings.)
“Owners or operators must identify and repair leaks in accordance with this paragraph within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) of when refrigerant is added to an appliance exceeding the applicable leak rate in paragraph (c) of this section.”
As part of the repair required by the previous point (82.157(d)(1)), a certified technician must conduct a leak inspection to identify where the leaks are.
“A certified technician must conduct a leak inspection, as described in paragraph (g) of this section, to identify the location of leaks.”
Repairs must bring the leak rate below the threshold, and this is confirmed by the leak rate calculation at the next refrigerant addition.
“Leaks must be repaired such that the leak rate is brought below the applicable leak rate. This must be confirmed by the leak rate calculation performed upon the next refrigerant addition.”
Leaks are presumed repaired if no refrigerant is added for 12 months after the repair, or if the required leak inspections find no leaks.
“The leaks will be presumed to be repaired if there is no further refrigerant addition for 12 months after the repair or if the leak inspections required under paragraph (g) do not find any leaks in the appliance.”
The time frames for repairs, verification tests and repair extensions (82.157(d) through (f)) are paused while an appliance is mothballed. They start again on the day refrigerant is added to the appliance (or to the isolated leaking component).
“The time frames in paragraphs (d) through(f) of this section are temporarily suspended when an appliance is mothballed. The time will resume on the day additional refrigerant is added to the appliance (or component of an appliance if the leaking component was isolated).”
Verification tests
Each repaired leak needs both an initial and a follow-up verification test.
“The owner or operator must conduct both initial and follow-up verification tests on each leak that was repaired under paragraph (d) of this section.”
Unless more time is granted, the initial verification test must be done within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) of the appliance exceeding its leak rate threshold.
“Unless granted additional time, an initial verification test must be performed within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) of an appliance exceeding the applicable leak rate in paragraph (c) of this section.”
If the repair does not require opening or evacuating the appliance, the initial test is done after the repair and before any refrigerant is added.
“For repairs that can be completed without the need to open or evacuate the appliance, the test must be performed after the conclusion of the repair work and before any additional refrigerant is added to the appliance.”
If the repair requires evacuating the appliance or part of it, the initial test is done before adding any refrigerant.
“For repairs that require the evacuation of the appliance or portion of the appliance, the test must be performed before adding any refrigerant to the appliance.”
The follow-up verification test must be done within 10 days of the successful initial test, or within 10 days of the appliance reaching normal operating characteristics and conditions if the appliance or isolated component was evacuated for the repair.
“A follow-up verification test must be performed within 10 days of the successful initial verification test or 10 days of the appliance reaching normal operating characteristics and conditions (if the appliance or isolated component was evacuated for the repair(s)).”
Extensions to the repair deadline
Owners or operators are permitted more than 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) to complete repairs and verification tests (82.157(d) and (e)) if they meet all of the requirements in 82.157(f)(1) through (4), or if the appliance is mothballed. The request counts as approved unless EPA notifies them otherwise.
“Owners or operators are permitted more than 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) to comply with paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section if they meet the requirements of (f)(1) through (4) of this section or the appliance is mothballed. The request will be considered approved unless EPA notifies the owners or operators otherwise.”
Requirement (f)(1): one or more of three conditions must apply. One condition: the appliance is in an area subject to radiological contamination, or shutting it down will directly lead to radiological contamination. Extra time is then allowed as needed to finish repairs in a safe working environment.
“One or more of the following conditions must apply: (i) The appliance is located in an area subject to radiological contamination or shutting down the appliance will directly lead to radiological contamination. Additional time is permitted to the extent needed to conduct and finish repairs in a safe working environment.”
Another (f)(1) condition: other federal, state or local regulations make a repair within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) impossible. Extra time is then allowed as needed to comply with those regulations.
“Requirements of other applicable Federal, state, or local regulations make a repair within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) impossible. Additional time is permitted to the extent needed to comply with the pertinent regulations.”
Another (f)(1) condition: parts that must be replaced are not available within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required). Extra time then runs up to 30 days after the parts arrive, but no more than 180 days (or 270 days with an industrial process shutdown) from the date the leak rate was exceeded.
“Components that must be replaced as part of the repair are not available within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required). Additional time is permitted up to 30 days after receiving delivery of the necessary components, not to exceed 180 days (or 270 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) from the date the appliance exceeded the applicable leak rate.”
Requirement (f)(2): repairs to leaks the technician identified as significantly contributing to the exceedance, and that do not need more time, must still be completed and verified within the initial 30-day (or 120-day) period.
“Repairs to leaks that the technician has identified as significantly contributing to the exceedance of the leak rate and that do not require additional time must be completed and verified within the initial 30 day repair period (or 120 day repair period if an industrial process shutdown is required);”
Requirement (f)(3): the owner or operator must document all repair efforts and why the repair could not be made within the initial 30-day (or 120-day) period.
“The owner or operator must document all repair efforts and the reason for the inability to make the repair within the initial 30 day repair period (or 120 day repair period if an industrial process shutdown is required); and”
Requirement (f)(4): the owner or operator must request the extension from EPA within 30 days (or 120 days) of the appliance exceeding its applicable leak rate.
“The owner or operator must request an extension from EPA at the address specified in paragraph (m) of this section within 30 days (or 120 days if an industrial process shutdown is required) of the appliance exceeding the applicable leak rate in paragraph (c) of this section.”
Retrofit or retirement plans
The owner or operator must create a retrofit or retirement plan within 30 days in any of three cases. The first two: an appliance leaks above its applicable leak rate and the owner or operator intends to retrofit or retire rather than repair the leak, or fails to take any action to identify or repair the leak.
“The owner or operator must create a retrofit or retirement plan within 30 days of: (i) an appliance leaking above the applicable leak rate in paragraph (c) of this section if the owner or operator intends to retrofit or retire rather than repair the leak; (ii) an appliance leaking above the applicable leak rate in paragraph (c) of this section if the owner or operator fails to take any action to identify or repair the leak; or”
The third case under the same 30-day lead-in quoted in the previous point (82.157(h)(1)(iii)): the appliance continues to leak above the applicable leak rate after the required repairs and verification tests.
“an appliance continues to leak above the applicable leak rate after having conducted the required repairs and verification tests under paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section.”
If repairs fail to bring the leak rate below the threshold, the owner or operator must create and carry out a retrofit or retirement plan.
“If the owner or operator elects to repair leaks, but fails to bring the leak rate below the applicable leak rate, the owner or operator must create and implement a retrofit or retirement plan in accordance with paragraphs (h) and (i) of this section.”
Among the minimum contents listed in 82.157(h)(2), the plan must include a schedule of no more than one year to finish the retrofit or retirement.
“A schedule, not to exceed one-year, for completion of the appliance retrofit or retirement.”
The plan must be signed by an authorized company official, dated, kept at the site of the appliance (paper or electronic) and available for EPA inspection.
“The retrofit or retirement plan must be signed by an authorized company official, dated, accessible at the site of the appliance in paper copy or electronic format, and available for EPA inspection upon request.”
Unless more time is granted, all work under the plan must be finished within one year of the plan's date, and no more than 13 months from when the plan was required.
“Unless granted additional time, all work performed in accordance with the plan must be finished within one year of the plan's date (not to exceed 13 months from when the plan was required in paragraph (h)(1) of this section).”
As an extension to the one-year schedule, owners or operators of commercial refrigeration, industrial process refrigeration, comfort cooling or other equipment are automatically allowed 18 months to retire an appliance if the replacement appliance uses a substitute refrigerant exempted under 82.154(a).
“Owners or operators of commercial refrigeration, industrial process refrigeration, comfort-cooling, or other equipment are automatically allowed 18 months to retire an appliance if the replacement appliance uses a substitute refrigerant exempted under § 82.154(a).”
Not covered here
This page does not detail every field of the extension requests or the special extensions for industrial process refrigeration and federally owned equipment in 40 CFR 82.157(i)(2) and (i)(3); see the rule text. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Chronically leaking appliances
Owners or operators of appliances containing 50 pounds or more of refrigerant that leak 125 percent or more of the full charge in a calendar year must submit a report to EPA by March 1 of the following year, describing efforts to identify leaks and repair the appliance.
“Owners or operators of appliances containing 50 pounds or more of refrigerant that leak 125 percent or more of the full charge in a calendar year must submit a report to EPA at the address in paragraph (m) of this section. This report must be submitted by March 1 of the subsequent year and describe efforts to identify leaks and repair the appliance.”
Records
Leak repair records must be kept for at least three years, on paper or electronically, unless the rule says otherwise.
“All records identified in this paragraph must be kept for at least three years in electronic or paper format, unless otherwise specified.”
Owners or operators must determine the full charge of each appliance with 50 or more pounds and keep that information until three years after the appliance is retired.
“Owners or operators must determine the full charge of all appliances with 50 or more pounds of refrigerant and maintain the following information for each appliance until three years after the appliance is retired:”
Owners or operators must keep a record each time an appliance with a full charge of 50 or more pounds is maintained, serviced, repaired or disposed of, when applicable. If someone other than the owner or operator does the work, that person must give the owner or operator a record with that information, except the full charge and leak rate items ((l)(2)(vii) and (viii)).
“Owners or operators must maintain a record including the following information for each time an appliance with a full charge of 50 or more pounds is maintained, serviced, repaired, or disposed of, when applicable. If the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal is done by someone other than the owner or operator, that person must provide a record containing the following information, with the exception of (l)(2)(vii) and (viii) of this section, to the owner or operator:”
Sources
- eCFR: 40 CFR 82.157, Appliance maintenance and leak repair (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026
- eCFR: 40 CFR 82.152, Definitions (as of Nov 3, 2026)Checked November 5, 2026