The Refrigerant Compliance Glossary

A facility certified by EPA to reprocess used refrigerant to AHRI 700 purity, verifying each batch analytically, releasing no more than 1.5% during reclamation, and reporting annually to EPA by February 1.

Reprocessing used refrigerant back to virgin purity specification (AHRI 700) at a certified facility, with each batch verified analytically and no more than 1.5% released during the process. Distinct from field recycling, which cleans refrigerant without certifying it to specification.

Removing refrigerant and then non-condensables and moisture from a system down to a required vacuum level, which varies by appliance type, charge size, and recovery equipment age.

EPA-certified equipment that removes refrigerant from a system to required evacuation levels. Certification requirements differ for equipment manufactured before and after November 15, 1993.

Removing refrigerant from an appliance in any condition and storing it in an external container, using certified recovery equipment to specified evacuation levels. Required before opening a system for service and before disposal.

The narrow allowance for minimal releases that occur during a good-faith attempt to recover or recycle refrigerant — for example the small loss when disconnecting a properly used recovery hose.

The federal prohibition on knowingly releasing refrigerant to the atmosphere during maintenance, service, repair, or disposal. It covers ozone-depleting refrigerants and non-exempt substitutes, and extends to fire suppression agents under the AIM Act from January 1, 2026.