Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000: Amended to include HFCs under the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment (ratified in 2021), mandating an 80% HFC phasedown by 2047.

Environment Protection Act (1986): Governs the import, production, and use of fluorocarbons, including HFOs.

India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP): Promotes low-GWP refrigerants like HFOs to reduce cooling demand and emissions by 2038.

a. HFC Phasedown & HFO Promotion

• HFC Phasedown Schedule:

• 2028–2032: Freeze HFC consumption at 2024–2026 baseline.

• 2033 onward: Gradual reduction, reaching 85% cut by 2047.

• HFO Exemptions: HFOs with GWP < 53 (e.g., HFO-1234yf, GWP = 4) are prioritized under ICAP for sectors like automotive and cold chains.

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b. Approved HFO Uses

• Automotive AC: HFO-1234yf approved for new vehicles, aligning with global standards (e.g., EU MAC Directive).

• Commercial Refrigeration: HFO-1234ze used in supermarkets and cold storage under ICAP’s Sustainable Cooling Initiative.

• Air Conditioning: Pilot projects for HFO-blend systems in energy-efficient buildings.

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c. Safety & Labeling

• BIS Standards: Follow IS 16042 (refrigerant safety) and IS 13947 (electrical safety for flammable refrigerants).

• HFOs classified as A2L require leak detection and ventilation in confined spaces.

• Labeling: Containers must display GWP, flammability warnings (in English/Hindi), and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification marks.

• Transport Rules: Governed by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) for hazardous materials (UN3163 classification).

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d. Sector-Specific Rules

• Cold Chain Logistics: Mandatory use of refrigerants with GWP < 150 in new projects by 2025 (ICAP guideline).

• Automotive: New vehicle AC systems must transition to HFOs or natural refrigerants by 2030.

• Construction: Incentives for HFO-based foam insulation in green buildings (e.g., Energy Conservation Building Code).

• Ozone Cell Registration: Importers/manufacturers must register with the MoEFCC Ozone Cell and report HFC/HFO volumes.

• Phasedown Compliance: Companies must adhere to HFC consumption quotas, offset by HFO adoption.

• Recovery & Recycling:

  • Mandatory 90% recovery of refrigerants during servicing (via Refrigerant Management Plans).

  • Use MoEFCC-certified recovery equipment.

• Labeling: Containers must include BIS certification, GWP, and safety data.

• Training: Technicians require Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) certification for handling fluorocarbons.

• 2023 ICAP Revisions: Accelerated HFO adoption in public cooling infrastructure (e.g., metro systems, hospitals).

• PLI Scheme for ACs: Production-linked incentives for manufacturers using HFOs in energy-efficient models.

• Draft HFC Rules (2024): Proposed bans on HFC-134a in new ACs by 2025, favoring HFO-1234yf.

• Fines: Up to ₹1 crore (~$120,000) for illegal HFC imports or unregistered HFO use (Environment Protection Act).

• Import Bans: Non-compliant refrigerants barred by customs.

• License Cancellation: Revocation of ODP certification for improper handling.