Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Appliance Servicing
Refrigerants must be captured and not knowingly released into the atmosphere. This page provides information on:
General Requirements
The appliance servicing requirements can be found at the U.S. EPA's Web site. 
Technician Certification
Technicians that perform maintenance, service or repair that could be reasonably expected to release refrigerants into the atmosphere are required to possess certification obtained through a U.S. EPA-approved program. A list of approved programs is available by visiting the U.S. EPA's Web site.
Activities that would require certification include:
- Attaching and detaching hoses and gauges to and from the appliance to measure pressure within the appliance;
- adding refrigerant to or removing refrigerant from the appliance; and
- any other activity that violates the integrity of the refrigerant circuit while there is refrigerant in the appliance.
Four types of certifications are available. The type of certification required depends on the type of appliances serviced:
| Small Appliances - Room air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, and dehumidifiers. | Type I (can be obtained by taking a mail-in test) |
| High and very high-pressure appliances, including but not limited to appliances that use refrigerants -12, -13, -22, -114, -500, -502 and -503, except the appliances listed in Row 1 and motor vehicle air conditioners (MVACs). | Type II (an on-site test must be taken) |
| Low-pressure appliances; including but not limited to appliances that use refrigerants -11, -113, and -123. | Type III (an on-site test must be taken) |
| Low, high, and very high-pressure appliances including those listed in Row 1. (This certification includes Type I, II, and III). | Universal (an on-site test must be taken) |
More Information
- For technical questions or for more information about CFCs, contact Jeffrey Bratko, U.S. EPA, Region V, Chicago, 312-886-6816. If you have a complaint, contact Lisa Holscher, U.S. EPA, Region V, Chicago, 312-886-6818.
- EPA Ozone DepletionWeb Site. Information on acceptable alternatives, retrofitting, handling contaminated or unfamiliar refrigerants, and technician certification programs.
