The EPA Adjusts Rule for GWP Compliance for Some New Refrigeration Systems

EPA Technology Transitions Rule Update —June 4, 2026

On May 21, 2026, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin signed the EPA Technology Transitions Rule Update alongside President Donald Trump, as part of a broader initiative focused on regulatory reform and cost reduction for businesses and consumers. This is a final rule revising portions of the EPA refrigerant regulations under the Technology Transitions Program which lightens regulations within the retail food and cold storage subsectors.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR CENTURY REFRIGERATION AND RAE CORPORATION APPLICATIONS

Key Regulatory Changes — Revised 2023 Technology Transitions Rule

• Extend compliance deadlines for the use of certain higher global warming potential (GWP) HFC refrigerants in specific refrigeration applications.
• Expand allowable refrigerant options while continuing to support compliance with the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act.

GWP COMPLIANCE THRESHOLD CHANGES

EPA Technology Transitions Rule Update to the Following:

SUBSECTOR	PREVIOUS RULE	APPROVED FINAL RULE
Retail food – supermarkets	Starting 1/1/27: 150 or 300 threshold (depending on charge size & equip config)	Starting 1/1/27: 1,400 threshold Starting 1/1/32: 150 or 300 threshold
Retail food – remote condensing units	Starting 1/1/26: 150 or 300 threshold (depending on charge size & equip config)	Starting 1/27/26: 1,400 threshold Starting 1/1/32: 150 or 300 threshold
Cold storage warehouses	Starting 1/1/26: 150 or 300 threshold (depending on charge size & equip config)	Starting 1/27/26: 700 threshold Starting 1/1/32: 150 or 300 threshold

This is an update to our previous post on the EPA ruling. We will continue to monitor this matter and post regular updates as they become available.

RETAIL FOOD REFRIGERATION CLARIFICATION

The EPA is also finalizing an important revision regarding the definition of “new” systems within the Retail Food – Supermarket subsector. Under this revision:

• Existing supermarket refrigeration systems may increase cooling capacity by up to 15% BTUH without being classified as a “new” system.
• This allows certain system expansions or modifications without triggering new-system refrigerant requirements.

Please Note: At this time, this revision applies only to the Retail Food – Supermarket subsector and does not extend to other refrigeration equipment categories.

Ongoing Monitoring

Century Refrigeration will continue monitoring EPA publications and related regulatory developments. Additional updates and application guidance will be provided as more information becomes available.

Century Refrigeration is a division of RAE Corporation

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