EPA finalises fire suppression rule for HFC allowances
Iain Hoey
Share this content
EPA confirms renewed allowances for HFC use
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalised a rule to extend limited access to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for key fire suppression and other critical applications.
According to the EPA, this marks the first mandatory five-year review of application-specific allowances (ASAs), which are now renewed through 2030.
The agency stated that the allowances will support continued access to HFCs across sectors where alternatives are not yet available.
It confirmed that the decision affects health, defence, technology and fire safety sectors.
Details of approved applications
The EPA reported that priority access to HFCs will be maintained for five specific uses.
These include propellants in metered dose inhalers, certain foams for marine and trailer uses, etching of semiconductor material and cleaning of chemical vapour deposition chambers in the semiconductor sector.
They also include mission-critical military applications and onboard aerospace fire suppression systems.
The agency said these were determined to be critical areas with no viable substitutes currently available.
EPA statement on the rule
Assistant Administrator for Air Aaron Szabo said: “Today’s rule is not just about giving essential sectors such as health, defense, and technology the ability to continue to operate at full capacity but ensuring we are fulfilling our core mission of protecting human health and the environment.
“As one of the many Americans who uses a metered dose inhaler every day, I understand the life-saving impact this will have.
“It also reaffirms our commitment to making America the AI capital of the world as we continue Powering the Great American Comeback at EPA.”
Defence spray exemptions
The EPA outlined that defence sprays are excluded from aerosol requirements established under the 2023 Technology Transitions Rule.
It stated that ASA eligibility for defence sprays will not be renewed from calendar year 2026.
The agency explained that this was because defence sprays will continue to have access to HFCs through the open market.
It added that this adjustment ensures that military and law enforcement can continue to use available products without disruption.
Wider phasedown programme
The EPA said that the new rule does not change the structure of the HFC phasedown programme.
It explained that the allowances are narrowly focused on applications where no alternatives exist.
The agency stated that overall reduction targets for HFC use remain in place under existing frameworks.
It added that the phasedown schedule continues to align with commitments under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
Implementation through 2030
The EPA confirmed that the renewed allowances apply through 2030.
It said that this review is part of a cycle designed to assess the ongoing need for HFCs in essential applications.
The agency indicated that further reviews may take place beyond 2030 if required.
It explained that monitoring and reporting mechanisms will continue to ensure that HFC use remains limited to approved categories.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The EPA’s decision to renew allowances includes onboard aerospace fire suppression, which directly impacts fire safety planning in aviation and defence contexts.
For professionals in these sectors, the rule ensures that existing suppression systems using HFCs remain viable through 2030.
It also highlights the absence of alternatives to HFCs in certain applications, providing clarity for equipment specification and compliance planning.
This regulatory update may influence procurement, design, and risk assessments in organisations reliant on HFC-based suppression systems.
EPA finalises fire suppression rule for HFC allowances: Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalised a rule extending access to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) through 2030.
The rule renews application-specific allowances (ASAs) after the agency’s first five-year review.
The allowances apply to propellants in metered dose inhalers and certain foams for marine and trailer use.
They also cover semiconductor etching and cleaning, mission-critical military applications, and onboard aerospace fire suppression.
Defence sprays are excluded from ASA renewal from 2026 but remain available on the open market.
Assistant Administrator for Air Aaron Szabo said the rule supports health, defence, and technology sectors while protecting human health and the environment.
The EPA confirmed that overall phasedown targets for HFCs remain unchanged.
The allowances are limited to applications without viable alternatives.
The agency indicated that monitoring and reporting will continue.
The renewed allowances remain in effect through 2030.