Refrigerants and GWP limits: the United States opens to a more gradual transition

In the United States, discussions are underway on a possible revision of the rules governing the use of refrigerants , with the aim of making the transition to climate-friendly gases more flexible for the refrigeration sector.

The proposals under discussion include operational extensions and temporarily higher GWP thresholds for some applications, a choice that aims to contain the costs of the transition but raises questions about the effectiveness of climate policies in the medium term.

Operational extensions and more flexible GWP thresholds

Among the most significant elements of the proposal is the possibility of continuing to install equipment produced or imported before specific deadlines , overcoming the idea of an immediate and rigid ban. This approach would allow companies to manage the upgrade of their equipment more gradually, reducing the risk of operational disruption.

Another key issue concerns cold storage and some commercial refrigeration applications, for which a temporary increase in GWP limits is envisaged. The more permissive thresholds would be maintained for a few years, before returning to more restrictive values in the long term.

The underlying idea is to guide the market towards low-GWP solutions without imposing excessively rapid changes in contexts where technological alternatives are not yet fully mature or widespread.

Between flexibility and the risk of technological slowdown

While this approach offers businesses some leeway, it also raises concerns among those who fear a slowdown in the adoption of natural refrigerants and more sustainable technologies .

The temporary increase in GWP thresholds could in fact prolong the use of mixtures that still have an impact, delaying investments in more environmentally advanced solutions.

The risk is a less linear transition , with a perceived unstable regulatory framework and less pressure for innovation. For the refrigeration sector, already engaged in a profound transformation, the balance between environmental and economic sustainability remains one of the most complex issues to address.

A look at the European context

Although the debate is American, the implications are not confined to that market.

Refrigeration supply chains are global, and the dynamics of costs, technology availability, and supply chains are also reflected in Europe.

In an already very stringent European regulatory context, the American comparison could become a benchmark for evaluating alternative approaches to managing the phase-down of high-GWP refrigerants.

For European HVAC/R operators, observing these developments means anticipating possible future scenarios, understanding the logic of regulatory flexibility, and evaluating how different areas of the world are trying to balance climate objectives and industrial continuity.