Public Workshop (Webinar) for Proposed Amendments to Small Containers of Automotive Refrigerant Regulation The California Air Resources Board

(CARB) staff invites you to participate in a public workshop to discuss a regulatory proposal to amend the “Small Containers of Automotive Refrigerant” regulation (or Small Can Regulation) with a focus on its container deposit and recycling requirement.  The requirement was designed and implemented to reduce refrigerant emissions by recycling the refrigerant remaining in the used containers or otherwise they would be discarded in the trash with refrigerant vented into the atmosphere.  The regulation overall resulted in greater emission reductions than projected and resulted in a reduced amount of refrigerant remaining in the can at the end of life.  This means that less refrigerant is recovered and recycled than originally anticipated. 

The purpose of this first workshop is to provide an overview of the amendment process and related activities and to discuss and solicit public input on the regulatory proposal to consider removing the deposit and return program. 

The workshop will be held via Zoom only at the following date and time:

Date:                    Thursday, January 20, 2022
Time:                     09:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time                                              

Please register before 09:00 AM January 20, 2022, by clicking on the register button above. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar. Prior to the workshop, workshop agenda and staff presentation will be posted on CARB’s small can regulation workshop website.

Background

In January 2009, CARB adopted the Small Containers of Automotive Refrigerant Regulation as a discrete early action measure to reduce HFC-134a refrigerant emissions from Do-It-Yourself (DIY) automotive AC servicing.  The emission reductions are primarily achieved through two key regulatory requirements: a mandatory self-sealing valve and a deposit and recycling program.  The Regulation was amended in 2016 to clarify the requirements for unclaimed deposits and expand the scope of the enhanced education program. 

Special Accommodations Request

If you require a special accommodation or need this document in an alternate format (i.e., Braille, large print) or another language, please contact the Van Tsan as soon as possible, but no later than 10 business days before the scheduled event.