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EPA 608 · Chapter 01 of 05

Core: Ozone, Law & Regulations: EPA 608 practice questions

EPA 608 Core practice questions on ozone depletion, the CFC and HCFC phaseouts, the venting ban, refrigerant sales, technician types and the three Rs.

Last updated · 27 questions · every answer cites its source

Every Section 608 candidate takes the Core group of questions, whatever equipment they work on. EPA's published test topics for Core begin with why the rules exist and then turn to the law and the regulations. This chapter covers that first part of Core. Refrigerants and oils, the refrigeration cycle, leak detection, recovery technique, evacuation, safety and shipping are in the companion Core chapter.

The science questions follow EPA's own explanations. Chlorine and bromine atoms destroy ozone in the stratosphere, and CFCs and HCFCs release chlorine there when intense ultraviolet light breaks them apart. A thinner ozone layer lets more UV-B reach the ground, which EPA links to skin cancer, cataracts and harm to plants and marine life. HFCs do not deplete ozone, but EPA describes them as potent greenhouse gases.

The legal questions draw on Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, the U.S. phaseout schedules for class I and class II substances, the Montreal Protocol and the inflation-adjusted penalty table in 40 CFR 19.4. The regulatory questions come from 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F: appliance pressure categories, system-dependent and self-contained recovery equipment, third-party certification of recovery machines, the sales restriction, who counts as a technician, and the definitions of recover, recycle and reclaim. Since January 1, 2018 the sales restriction and the technician certification rule have also covered non-exempt substitute refrigerants such as HFCs, so where the refrigerant matters, the question says which refrigerants it concerns.

Form 01 / 27 #PVTS90 True / False #

A single chlorine atom released in the stratosphere can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules before it is removed from the stratosphere.

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Answer

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Answer True

True. EPA explains that chlorine and bromine atoms destroy ozone molecules when they come into contact with ozone in the stratosphere, and that one chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules before it is removed. EPA adds that ozone can be destroyed more quickly than it is naturally created. The chlorine comes from ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs and HCFCs, which release it when intense UV light breaks them apart in the stratosphere. These compounds are emitted at the Earth's surface and can take two to five years to be carried up to the stratosphere.

Sources

  1. Basic Ozone Layer Science
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · II. Ozone Depletion · Primary source · checked
    “When chlorine and bromine atoms come into contact with ozone in the stratosphere, they destroy ozone molecules. One chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules before it is removed from the stratosphere. Ozone can be destroyed more quickly than it is naturally created.”
  2. Basic Ozone Layer Science
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · II. Ozone Depletion · Primary source · checked
    “Some compounds release chlorine or bromine when they are exposed to intense UV light in the stratosphere. … ODS that release chlorine include chlorofluorocarbons … (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons … (HCFCs)”
  3. Basic Ozone Layer Science
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · II. Ozone Depletion · Primary source · checked
    “Although ODS are emitted at the Earth’s surface, they are eventually carried into the stratosphere in a process that can take as long as two to five years.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Environmental Impacts

Form 02 / 27 #7T72CA #

Which of these refrigerants is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)?

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Answer

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Answer R-22

EPA's test topics expect technicians to know that R-12 is a CFC, R-22 is an HCFC and R-134 is an HFC. EPA lists HCFC-22 (also called R-22) among the class II ozone-depleting substances, with the formula CHF2Cl, and its refrigerant-history page calls R-22 the first HCFC refrigerant. R-11 and R-12 are CFCs: EPA lists CFC-11 (CCl3F) and CFC-12 (CCl2F2) as class I substances, and neither formula contains hydrogen. R-134a is HFC-134a, a hydrofluorocarbon, which EPA describes as a non-ozone-depleting refrigerant.

Sources

  1. Section 608 Technician Certification: Test Topics (last updated December 5, 2025)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Core — Environmental Impacts · Primary source · checked
    “refrigerants (not chemical formulas, but idea that R-12 is a CFC, R-22 is an HCFC, R-134 is an HFC, etc.)”
  2. Refrigerant Safety (SNAP)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · History of refrigerants · Primary source · checked
    “Commercial CFC production began with R-12 in early 1931, R-11 in 1932, R-114 in 1933, and R-113 in 1934; the first hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant, R-22, was produced in 1936.”
  3. Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Class I ODS, Group I table · Primary source · checked
    “CFC-11 (CCl3F) Trichlorofluoromethane 45 1 1 4750 4660 75-69-4 CFC-12 (CCl2F2) Dichlorodifluoromethane”
  4. Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Class II ODS table · Primary source · checked
    “HCFC-22 (CHF2Cl) Monochlorodifluoromethane”
  5. Section 608 Technician Certification: Test Topics (last updated December 5, 2025)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Type 1 — Recovery Techniques · Primary source · checked
    “(HFC)-134a (also called R-134a) as likely substitute for”
  6. Refrigerant Transition & Environmental Impacts (MVAC)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · CFC-12: an Ozone-Depleting Refrigerant · Primary source · checked
    “Automobile manufacturers began to transition to the non-ozone depleting refrigerant, HFC-134a, with 1992 model year vehicles.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Environmental Impacts

Form 03 / 27 #5352KV #

Rank these refrigerants from highest to lowest ozone depletion potential (ODP): R-12, R-134a and R-22.

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Answer

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Answer R-12, then R-22, then R-134a

CFCs have a higher ODP than HCFCs, which in turn have a higher ODP than HFCs, and EPA's test topics list exactly this idea. EPA's table gives CFC-12 (R-12) a Montreal Protocol ODP of 1 and HCFC-22 (R-22) an ODP of 0.055, so R-12 has by far the higher ODP of the two. R-134a is an HFC, and EPA states that HFCs are not ozone-depleting substances, so it ranks last. An order that puts R-22 above R-12, or R-134a above either ozone-depleting refrigerant, reverses these values.

Sources

  1. Section 608 Technician Certification: Test Topics (last updated December 5, 2025)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Core — Environmental Impacts · Primary source · checked
    “Idea that CFCs have higher ozone-depletion potential (ODP … than HCFCs, which in turn have higher ODP than HFCs”
  2. Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Class I ODS, Group I table (ODP1 column = Montreal Protocol) · Primary source · checked
    “CFC-12 (CCl2F2) Dichlorodifluoromethane 100 1 0.82”
  3. Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Class II ODS table (ODP1 column = Montreal Protocol) · Primary source · checked
    “HCFC-22 (CHF2Cl) Monochlorodifluoromethane 11.9 0.055 0.04”
  4. Technicians and Contractors: Frequent Questions (HCFC phaseout)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Q. Are there any restrictions on the purchase of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants? · Primary source · checked
    “While HFCs are not ozone-depleting substances, they are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.”
  5. Section 608 Technician Certification: Test Topics (last updated December 5, 2025)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Core — Environmental Impacts · Primary source · checked
    “refrigerants (not chemical formulas, but idea that R-12 is a CFC, R-22 is an HCFC, R-134 is an HFC, etc.)”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Environmental Impacts

Form 04 / 27 #W57ZP6 True / False #

Chlorine released from swimming pools, sea salt and volcanoes is carried into the stratosphere, where it destroys ozone in the same way as chlorine from CFCs.

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Answer

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Answer False

False. EPA notes that not all chlorine sources contribute to ozone depletion: researchers have found that chlorine from swimming pools, industrial plants, sea salt and volcanoes does not reach the stratosphere. CFCs differ because they are very stable and do not dissolve in rain, so they survive long enough to be carried up. Volcanoes can affect ozone only indirectly: Mt. Pinatubo's 1991 eruption did not increase stratospheric chlorine, but its aerosol particles made existing CFC-based chlorine more effective at destroying ozone for a short time.

Sources

  1. Basic Ozone Layer Science
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · II. Ozone Depletion · Primary source · checked
    “Not all chlorine and bromine sources contribute to ozone layer depletion. For example, researchers have found that chlorine from swimming pools, industrial plants, sea salt, and volcanoes does not reach the stratosphere. In contrast, ODS are very stable and do not dissolve in rain.”
  2. Basic Ozone Layer Science
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · II. Ozone Depletion · Primary source · checked
    “Mt. Pinatubo's 1991 eruption did not increase stratospheric chlorine concentrations, but it did produce large amounts of tiny particles called aerosols … These aerosols increase chlorine's effectiveness at destroying ozone. The aerosols in the stratosphere create a surface on which CFC-based chlorine can destroy ozone. However, the effect from volcanoes is short-lived.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Environmental Impacts

Form 05 / 27 #J7ZG1K #

Which part of the sun's radiation increases at the Earth's surface mainly as a result of stratospheric ozone depletion?

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Answer

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Answer UV-B radiation

EPA states that ozone layer depletion increases the amount of UVB reaching the Earth's surface, because reduced ozone means less protection and more UVB exposure. A WMO figure reproduced on EPA's page explains why the other bands do not change much: UV-C is entirely absorbed within the ozone layer, while UV-A and visible light are only weakly absorbed by it in the first place. EPA links UVB to non-melanoma skin cancer, a major role in melanoma and cataracts, and reports that it reduces phytoplankton survival and damages early life stages of fish, shrimp, crab and amphibians.

Sources

  1. Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Effects on Human Health · Primary source · checked
    “Ozone layer depletion increases the amount of UVB that reaches the Earth’s surface.”
  2. Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · The Connection between Ozone Layer Depletion and UVB Radiation · Primary source · checked
    “Reduced ozone levels as a result of … means less protection from the sun’s rays and more exposure to UVB … radiation at the Earth’s surface.”
  3. Figure Q2-1 (from WMO, Twenty Questions and Answers About the Ozone Layer: 2018 Update), reproduced on EPA page Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
    World Meteorological Organization (figure reproduced by U.S. EPA) · Figure Q2-1 caption · Primary source · checked
    “UV-C radiation is entirely absorbed within the ozone layer. Solar UV-B radiation (280 to 315 nm) is only partially absorbed … UV-A (315 to 400 nm), visible light, and other solar radiation are only weakly absorbed by the ozone layer.”
  4. Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Effects on Human Health · Primary source · checked
    “Laboratory and epidemiological studies demonstrate that UVB causes non-melanoma skin cancer and plays a major role in malignant melanoma development. … In addition, UVB has been linked to the development of cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens.”
  5. Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Effects on Marine Ecosystems · Primary source · checked
    “Exposure to solar UVB radiation has been shown to affect both orientation and motility in phytoplankton, resulting in reduced survival rates for these organisms. … UVB radiation has been found to cause damage to early developmental stages of fish, shrimp, crab, amphibians, and other marine animals.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Environmental Impacts

Form 06 / 27 #K254A6 True / False #

The Antarctic ozone "hole" that has formed each Antarctic spring since the early 1980s is not an opening through the ozone layer but a large area of the stratosphere with extremely low ozone.

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Answer

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Answer True

True. EPA gives the annual Antarctic ozone hole, which has occurred during the Antarctic spring since the early 1980s, as an example of ozone depletion, and explains that it is not really a hole through the ozone layer but a large area of the stratosphere with extremely low amounts of ozone. It is not the only evidence: beginning in the 1970s, scientific evidence showed the ozone shield being depleted well beyond natural processes, and depletion has also been found over latitudes that include North America, Europe and Asia.

Sources

  1. Basic Ozone Layer Science
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · II. Ozone Depletion · Primary source · checked
    “One example of ozone depletion is the annual ozone "hole" over Antarctica that has occurred during the Antarctic spring since the early 1980s. This is not really a hole through the ozone layer, but rather a large area of the stratosphere with extremely low amounts of ozone.”
  2. Basic Ozone Layer Science
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · I. The Ozone Layer · Primary source · checked
    “Beginning in the 1970s, however, scientific evidence showed that the ozone shield was being depleted well beyond natural processes.”
  3. Basic Ozone Layer Science
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · II. Ozone Depletion · Primary source · checked
    “Research has shown that ozone depletion occurs over the latitudes that include North America, Europe, Asia, and much of Africa, Australia, and South America.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Environmental Impacts

Form 07 / 27 #0787TX #

How does EPA describe the atmospheric effects of HFC refrigerants such as R-134a?

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Answer

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Answer They do not deplete ozone, but they are potent greenhouse gases

EPA states that HFCs are not ozone-depleting substances but are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, with global warming potentials that can be hundreds to thousands of times that of carbon dioxide. R-134a is HFC-134a, which EPA calls a non-ozone-depleting refrigerant and a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 1,430 times that of CO2. So any choice saying HFCs deplete ozone is wrong, and so is any choice calling them weak greenhouse gases. CFCs such as CFC-12 are refrigerants that both deplete ozone and have high global warming potentials.

Sources

  1. Technicians and Contractors: Frequent Questions (HCFC phaseout)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Q. Are there any restrictions on the purchase of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants? · Primary source · checked
    “While HFCs are not ozone-depleting substances, they are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.”
  2. Background on HFCs and the AIM Act
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Sector Fact Sheets · Primary source · checked
    “HFCs are greenhouse gases with global warming potentials (GWPs) that can be hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2).”
  3. Refrigerant Transition & Environmental Impacts (MVAC)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · CFC-12: an Ozone-Depleting Refrigerant · Primary source · checked
    “Automobile manufacturers began to transition to the non-ozone depleting refrigerant, HFC-134a, with 1992 model year vehicles.”
  4. Refrigerant Transition & Environmental Impacts (MVAC)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · HFC-134a: a Potent Greenhouse Gas · Primary source · checked
    “Potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential that is 1,430 times that of CO2.”
  5. Refrigerant Transition & Environmental Impacts (MVAC)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · CFC-12: an Ozone-Depleting Refrigerant · Primary source · checked
    “Ozone-depleting refrigerant with a GWP of 10,900”
  6. Section 608 Technician Certification: Test Topics (last updated December 5, 2025)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Type 1 — Recovery Techniques · Primary source · checked
    “(HFC)-134a (also called R-134a) as likely substitute for”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Environmental Impacts

Form 08 / 27 #9WRWQW #

Under the Clean Air Act phaseout of class I substances, the ban on U.S. production and import of CFCs took effect on January 1 of which year?

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Answer

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Answer 1996

CFCs are class I ozone-depleting substances, and Section 604 of the Clean Air Act sets the class I phaseout targets. EPA states that the ban on production and import of halons took effect on January 1, 1994, and the ban for the other class I substances, excluding methyl bromide, took effect on January 1, 1996. EPA's schedule shows CFCs at a 75 percent reduction in 1994 and 100 percent in 1996, so 1994 is the halon date, not the CFC date. The 2010 and 2020 dates belong to the class II (HCFC-22) phaseout.

Sources

  1. Phaseout of Class I Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Phaseout of Class I ODS · Primary source · checked
    “Section 604 of the Clean Air Act establishes the phaseout targets for Class I ODS. The ban on production and import of halons took effect on January 1, 1994. The ban on production and import of other Class I ODS—excluding methyl bromide—took effect on January 1, 1996.”
  2. Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Introduction · Primary source · checked
    “The ODS are split into two groups under the Clean Air Act: Class I ODS, such as chlorofluorocarbons … (CFCs), and Class II ODS, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons … (HCFCs).”
  3. Phaseout of Class I Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Table 1: Phaseout Schedule for Class I Substances · Primary source · checked
    “CFCs Halons Carbon Tetrachloride Methyl Chloroform Methyl Bromide Hydrobromofluorocarbons 1994 75% 100%”
  4. Phaseout of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · U.S. Action to Meet the Montreal Protocol Phaseout Schedule · Primary source · checked
    “2010 No production or import of HCFC-142b and HCFC-22, except for use in equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol

Form 09 / 27 #Y1M95W #

In which year did U.S. rules end all production and import of HCFC-22 (R-22)?

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Answer

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Answer 2020

Under EPA's HCFC phaseout schedule, no production or import of HCFC-22 has been allowed since 2020. In 2010 production and import were stopped except for use in equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010, so 2010 was a restriction, not the end. 2015 is when the other HCFCs were stopped except as refrigerants in equipment made before January 1, 2020, and 2030 is when production and import of all remaining HCFCs ends. Existing R-22 equipment may still be serviced with reclaimed or previously produced R-22; using it is not banned.

Sources

  1. Phaseout of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · U.S. Action to Meet the Montreal Protocol Phaseout Schedule · Primary source · checked
    “2010 No production or import of HCFC-142b and HCFC-22, except for use in equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010 2010 75.0% 2015 No production or import of any other HCFCs, except as refrigerants in equipment manufactured before January 1, 2020 2015 90.0% 2020 No production or import of HCFC-142b and HCFC-22”
  2. Phaseout of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · U.S. Action to Meet the Montreal Protocol Phaseout Schedule · Primary source · checked
    “2030 No production or import of any HCFCs”
  3. Technicians and Contractors: Frequent Questions (HCFC phaseout)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Q. Can existing equipment containing HCFC-22 still be serviced? · Primary source · checked
    “A. Yes, HCFC-22 (also called R-22) can be used to service existing equipment.”
  4. Technicians and Contractors: Frequent Questions (HCFC phaseout)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Q. Should I discuss the HCFC phaseout with my customers? · Primary source · checked
    “You can help consumers understand that the continued use of existing appliances containing HCFC-22 is not banned and that there is no EPA mandate for converting existing HCFC-22 equipment.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol

Form 10 / 27 #N6NKV3 #

Section 608(c) of the Clean Air Act makes it unlawful to knowingly vent class I or class II refrigerants while maintaining, servicing, repairing or disposing of appliances. When did that prohibition take effect?

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Answer

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Answer July 1, 1992

42 U.S.C. 7671g(c)(1) states that, effective July 1, 1992, it is unlawful to knowingly vent or otherwise release class I or class II refrigerant during maintenance, service, repair or disposal of an appliance. November 15, 1990 is the date of the law that added Section 608 to the Act, not the date the prohibition took effect. Paragraph (c)(2) extended the prohibition to substitute refrigerants effective five years after November 15, 1990. January 1, 2018 is when the Subpart F sales restriction began to cover non-exempt substitutes.

Sources

  1. 42 U.S.C. 7671g — National recycling and emission reduction program (United States Code, 2023 Edition)
    U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · 42 U.S.C. 7671g(c)(1) · Primary source · checked
    “Effective July 1, 1992, it shall be unlawful for any person, in the course of maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of an appliance or industrial process refrigeration, to knowingly vent or otherwise knowingly release or dispose of any class I or class II substance used as a refrigerant”
  2. 42 U.S.C. 7671g — National recycling and emission reduction program (United States Code, 2023 Edition)
    U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · 42 U.S.C. 7671g(c)(2) and source credit · Primary source · checked
    “(2) Effective 5 years after November 15, 1990, paragraph (1) shall also apply to the venting, release, or disposal of any substitute substance for a class I or class II substance … as added Pub. L. 101–549, title VI, §602(a), Nov. 15, 1990”
  3. 40 CFR 82.154 — Prohibitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.154(c)(1) · Primary source · checked
    “No person may sell or distribute, or offer for sale or distribution, any substance that consists in whole or in part of a class I or class II substance or, starting on January 1, 2018, any non-exempt substitute for use as a refrigerant unless”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol

Form 11 / 27 #RARMVV True / False #

If HFC refrigerant has already been recovered from an air conditioner into a recovery cylinder, knowingly releasing it from that cylinder still violates the venting prohibition in 40 CFR 82.154.

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Answer

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Answer True

True. Section 82.154(a)(3) states that the knowing release of a class I or class II refrigerant or a non-exempt substitute refrigerant after its recovery from an appliance is a violation of the venting prohibition. HFCs used in air conditioners are not among the exempt substitutes listed in § 82.154(a)(1), and EPA confirms that it is illegal to knowingly vent or release HFC refrigerants, just as it is for ozone-depleting refrigerants like HCFC-22. Moving the refrigerant out of the appliance does not take it outside the prohibition.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.154 — Prohibitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.154(a)(3) · Primary source · checked
    “The knowing release of a class I or class II refrigerant or a non-exempt substitute refrigerant after its recovery from an appliance is a violation of the venting prohibition.”
  2. Technicians and Contractors: Frequent Questions (HCFC phaseout)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Q. Are there any limitations on the use of HFC refrigerants? · Primary source · checked
    “It is also illegal to knowingly vent or release these refrigerants— just as it is for ozone-depleting refrigerants like HCFC-22.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol

Form 12 / 27 #NY363G #

A scrap metal recycler is the final processor for a load of household refrigerators that were charged with HFC-134a. Under 40 CFR 82.155, what must the recycler do?

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Answer

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Answer Recover the remaining refrigerant, or get a signed statement or contract that it was recovered

Household refrigerators are small appliances, and since January 1, 2018 § 82.155 has covered disposal of appliances containing any class I, class II or non-exempt substitute refrigerant, so HFC-134a units are included. The final processor must either recover any remaining refrigerant itself or verify, with a signed statement or contract, that it was recovered, and keep those statements for three years. A statement the recycler knows or has reason to know is false cannot be relied on. Persons who dispose of small appliances need not be certified, and the February 1 annual report is a reclaimer duty.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.155 — Safe disposal of appliances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.155 (applicability) and (b) · Primary source · checked
    “Starting on January 1, 2018, this section applies to disposal of appliances containing any class I or class II refrigerant or any non-exempt substitute refrigerant. … (b) The final processor—i.e., persons who take the final step in the disposal process (including but not limited to scrap recyclers and landfill operators) of a small appliance, MVAC, or MVAC-like appliance—must either:”
  2. 40 CFR 82.155 — Safe disposal of appliances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.155(b)(1)–(2) · Primary source · checked
    “(1) Recover any remaining refrigerant from the appliance in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section; or (2) Verify using a signed statement or a contract that all refrigerant that had not leaked previously has been recovered from the appliance or shipment of appliances”
  3. 40 CFR 82.155 — Safe disposal of appliances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.155(b)(2)(i) · Primary source · checked
    “It is a violation of this subpart to accept a signed statement or contract if the person receiving the statement or contract knew or had reason to know that the signed statement or contract is false.”
  4. 40 CFR 82.155 — Safe disposal of appliances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.155(c) · Primary source · checked
    “The final processor of a small appliance, MVAC, or MVAC-like appliance must keep a copy of all the signed statements or contracts obtained under paragraph (b)(2) of this section on site, in hard copy or in electronic format, for three years.”
  5. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of small appliance · Primary source · checked
    “Small appliance means any appliance that is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with five (5) pounds or less of refrigerant, including, but not limited to, refrigerators and freezers (designed for home, commercial, or consumer use)”
  6. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161(a)(1)(vii) · Primary source · checked
    “Persons who dispose of small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances are not required to be certified.”
  7. 40 CFR 82.164 — Reclaimer certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.164(d)(3) · Primary source · checked
    “Reclaimers must report to the Administrator annually by February 1 of the next calendar year”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol

Form 13 / 27 #HYCHK7 #

Clean Air Act section 113(b), 42 U.S.C. 7413(b), authorizes civil actions for violations of the Section 608 rules. In EPA's 2025 inflation adjustment of Table 1 of 40 CFR 19.4 (effective January 8, 2025), what is the maximum civil penalty per day for each such violation that occurred after November 2, 2015?

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Answer

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Answer $124,426

Section 113(b) authorizes a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 per day for each violation of, among other things, any requirement of subchapter VI, which contains Section 608. EPA's January 8, 2025 rule set the third column of Table 1 of 40 CFR 19.4 at $124,426 for that provision, for violations after November 2, 2015. The other figures belong to other provisions in the same table: $59,114 per day and the $472,901 total cap apply to administrative penalty orders under section 113(d)(1), and $11,823 to field citations under section 113(d)(3). EPA revises Part 19 from time to time, so check 40 CFR 19.4 for the current figure.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 19.4 — Statutory civil monetary penalties, as adjusted for inflation, and tables
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Table 1 of § 19.4 · Primary source · checked
    “42 U.S.C. 7413(b) CLEAN AIR ACT (CAA) 124,426 121,275 25,000 42 U.S.C. 7413(d)(1) CAA 59,114/472,901 57,617/460,926 25,000/200,000 42 U.S.C. 7413(d)(3) CAA 11,823”
  2. 40 CFR 19.2 — Effective date
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 19.2(a) and source note · Primary source · checked
    “The statutory civil monetary penalty levels set forth in the third column of Table 1 of § 19.4 apply to all violations which occur or occurred after November 2, 2015, where the penalties are assessed on or after January 8, 2025. … [90 FR 1377, Jan. 8, 2025]”
  3. 40 CFR 19.4 — Statutory civil monetary penalties, as adjusted for inflation, and tables
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 19.4 source note · Primary source · checked
    “[85 FR 1753, Jan. 13, 2020, as amended at 85 FR 83820, Dec. 23, 2020; 87 FR 1678, Jan. 12, 2022; 88 FR 988, Jan. 6, 2023; 88 FR 89311, Dec. 27, 2023; 90 FR 1377, Jan. 8, 2025]”
  4. 42 U.S.C. 7413 — Federal enforcement (United States Code, 2023 Edition)
    U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · 42 U.S.C. 7413(b) · Primary source · checked
    “or to assess and recover a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 per day for each violation, or both, in any of the following instances: … (2) Whenever such person has violated, or is in violation of, any other requirement or prohibition of this subchapter, section 7603 of this title, subchapter IV–A, subchapter V, or subchapter VI”
  5. 42 U.S.C. 7413 — Federal enforcement (United States Code, 2023 Edition)
    U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · 42 U.S.C. 7413(d)(1) and (d)(3) · Primary source · checked
    “The Administrator may issue an administrative order against any person assessing a civil administrative penalty of up to $25,000, per day of violation … the total penalty sought does not exceed $200,000 … field citations assessing civil penalties not to exceed $5,000 per day of violation”
  6. 42 U.S.C. 7671g — National recycling and emission reduction program (United States Code, 2023 Edition)
    U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · Heading (chapter 85, subchapter VI) · Primary source · checked
    “SUBCHAPTER VI - STRATOSPHERIC OZONE PROTECTION Sec. 7671g - National recycling and emission reduction program”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol

Form 14 / 27 #0NV33W #

Which statement about the Montreal Protocol matches EPA's description of it?

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Answer

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Answer It is gradually eliminating the production and consumption of ODS

EPA describes the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer as the international treaty that is gradually eliminating the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. Its controls are on production and consumption; the U.S. ban on venting refrigerant during service comes from Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. The United States signed the Protocol in 1987; 1991 is the year the Multilateral Fund was set up to help developing countries. And the Protocol is signed by 197 countries, the first UN treaty to achieve universal ratification, far more than half.

Sources

  1. International Actions - The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Introduction · Primary source · checked
    “The international treaty called The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol) is gradually eliminating the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances to limit their damage to the earth’s ozone layer.”
  2. International Actions - The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Introduction · Primary source · checked
    “The Montreal Protocol is signed by 197 countries – the first treaty in the history of the United Nations to achieve universal ratification”
  3. International Actions - The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Introduction · Primary source · checked
    “The United States signed the Montreal Protocol in 1987”
  4. International Actions - The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol · Primary source · checked
    “The Multilateral Fund (Fund) was established in 1991 to assist developing countries meet their Montreal Protocol commitments.”
  5. 42 U.S.C. 7671g — National recycling and emission reduction program (United States Code, 2023 Edition)
    U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · 42 U.S.C. 7671g(c)(1) · Primary source · checked
    “it shall be unlawful for any person, in the course of maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of an appliance or industrial process refrigeration, to knowingly vent or otherwise knowingly release or dispose of any class I or class II substance used as a refrigerant”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol

Form 15 / 27 #9X5T75 #

Under 40 CFR 82.152, an appliance is a high-pressure appliance if its refrigerant has a liquid phase saturation pressure at 104 °F in which range?

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Answer

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Answer Between 170 psia and 355 psia

Section 82.152 defines a high-pressure appliance as one using a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure between 170 psia and 355 psia at 104 °F, with examples such as R-22, R-407C and R-410A. Between 45 and 170 psia is the medium-pressure range (for example R-12 and R-134a). Below 45 psia is the low-pressure range (for example R-11 and R-123). Above 355 psia, or a critical temperature below 104 °F, defines a very high-pressure appliance.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of high-pressure appliance · Primary source · checked
    “High-pressure appliance means an appliance that uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure between 170 psia and 355 psia at 104 °F. Examples include but are not limited to appliances using R-22, R-407A, R-407C, R-410A, and R-502.”
  2. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definitions of low-pressure and medium-pressure appliance · Primary source · checked
    “Low-pressure appliance means an appliance that uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure below 45 psia at 104 °F. Examples include but are not limited to appliances using R-11, R-123, R-113, and R-245fa. … Medium-pressure appliance means an appliance that uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure between 45 psia and 170 psia at 104 °F.”
  3. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definitions of medium-pressure and very high-pressure appliance · Primary source · checked
    “Examples include but are not limited to appliances using R-114, R-124, R-12, R-134a, and R-500. … Very high-pressure appliance means an appliance that uses a refrigerant with a critical temperature below 104 °F or with a liquid phase saturation pressure above 355 psia at 104 °F.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 16 / 27 #G7A77N #

To recover refrigerant from a household refrigerator, a technician runs the refrigerator's own compressor to move the refrigerant into a recovery container. Under Subpart F, how is the recovery device used here classified?

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Answer

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Answer System-dependent recovery equipment

Section 82.152 defines system-dependent recovery equipment as recovery equipment that requires the assistance of components contained in the appliance, such as its compressor, to remove the refrigerant; EPA's Type I topics call these passive devices and note that an operative compressor should be run. Self-contained equipment removes refrigerant without help from the appliance. A household refrigerator is a small appliance, so its recovery equipment is certified under § 82.158(e) and Appendix C, not Appendix B3, which covers equipment for other appliances, or Subpart B, which covers MVAC equipment.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of system-dependent recovery equipment · Primary source · checked
    “System-dependent recovery equipment means refrigerant recovery equipment that requires the assistance of components contained in an appliance to remove the refrigerant from the appliance.”
  2. Section 608 Technician Certification: Test Topics (last updated December 5, 2025)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Type 1 — Recovery Techniques · Primary source · checked
    “Need to operate operative compressors when recovering refrigerant with a system-dependent ("passive") recovery device”
  3. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of self-contained recovery equipment · Primary source · checked
    “Self-contained recovery equipment means refrigerant recovery and/or recycling equipment that is capable of removing the refrigerant from an appliance without the assistance of components contained in the appliance.”
  4. 40 CFR 82.158 — Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.158(e) · Primary source · checked
    “Small appliances. Equipment used during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of small appliances must be certified by an approved equipment testing organization to be capable of recovering 90 percent of the refrigerant in the test stand”
  5. 40 CFR 82.158 — Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.158(d)(3) · Primary source · checked
    “Recovery and/or recycling equipment manufactured or imported on or after January 1, 2017, intended for use during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of appliances (except small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances) must be certified by an approved equipment testing organization”
  6. 40 CFR 82.158 — Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.158(g) · Primary source · checked
    “MVACs. Manufacturers and importers of recovery and/or recycling equipment intended for use during the maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of MVACs must certify such equipment in accordance with subpart B of this part.”
  7. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of small appliance · Primary source · checked
    “Small appliance means any appliance that is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with five (5) pounds or less of refrigerant, including, but not limited to, refrigerators and freezers (designed for home, commercial, or consumer use)”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 17 / 27 #DMKNHD True / False #

Since January 1, 2018, Section 608 technician certification has been required to service stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning systems that contain HFCs, not only systems that contain CFCs or HCFCs.

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Answer

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Answer True

True. Section 82.161 applied only to class I and class II refrigerants until January 1, 2018; from that date it covers technicians working on appliances containing any class I or class II refrigerant or any non-exempt substitute refrigerant. EPA confirms that certification has been required since then to service stationary systems containing HFCs. The older test-topic wording about equipment containing CFCs or HCFCs reflects the rule before 2018. Motor vehicle air conditioners are handled separately: servicing them for consideration requires certification under Subpart B instead.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161 (applicability) · Primary source · checked
    “Starting on January 1, 2018, this section applies to technicians and organizations certifying technicians that maintain, service, or repair appliances containing any class I or class II refrigerant or any non-exempt substitute refrigerant.”
  2. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161 (applicability) · Primary source · checked
    “Until January 1, 2018, this section applies only to technicians and organizations certifying technicians that maintain, service, or repair appliances containing class I or class II refrigerants.”
  3. Technicians and Contractors: Frequent Questions (HCFC phaseout)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Q. Is EPA technician certification required to service systems that use HFCs? · Primary source · checked
    “A. Yes, beginning January 1, 2018, EPA technician certification is required in order to service stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning systems containing HFCs.”
  4. Section 608 Technician Certification: Test Topics (last updated December 5, 2025)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Core — Section 608 Regulations · Primary source · checked
    “Identification of equipment covered by the rule (all air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment containing CFCs or HCFCs except motor vehicle air conditioners)”
  5. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161(a)(1)(vi) · Primary source · checked
    “Persons who maintain, service, or repair MVAC appliances for consideration must be certified in accordance with 40 CFR part 82, subpart B.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 18 / 27 #BT9FB6 #

A manufacturer wants to sell a new recovery machine for servicing high-pressure air conditioners. Under 40 CFR 82.158, who must certify that the machine meets EPA's evacuation standards?

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Answer

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Answer An EPA-approved equipment testing organization

Section 82.158(d) requires manufacturers and importers to have recovery and recycling equipment certified by an approved equipment testing organization, which must first be approved by EPA under § 82.160 and must have no conflict of interest or financial stake in the test result. So the maker cannot certify its own machine, and neither the buyer nor a reclaimer certifies it. The certified machine carries a label naming the testing organization, and the manufacturer must have it retested or inspected at least once every three years.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.158 — Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.158(d) · Primary source · checked
    “Manufacturers and importers of recovery and/or recycling equipment must have such equipment certified by an approved equipment testing organization as follows:”
  2. 40 CFR 82.160 — Approved equipment testing organizations
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.160(b)(5) and (c) · Primary source · checked
    “Verification that the organization has no conflict of interest and receives no direct or indirect financial benefit from the outcome of certification testing. … Organizations may not certify equipment before receiving approval from EPA.”
  3. 40 CFR 82.158 — Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.158(h)(1) · Primary source · checked
    “THIS EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY [APPROVED EQUIPMENT TESTING ORGANIZATION] TO MEET EPA's MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR RECYCLING OR RECOVERY EQUIPMENT”
  4. 40 CFR 82.158 — Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.158(i) · Primary source · checked
    “At least once every three years, manufacturers or importers of certified recovery and/or recycling equipment intended for use during the maintenance, service, or repair of appliances (except MVACs or MVAC-like appliances) or during the disposal of appliances (except small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances) must have approved equipment testing organizations conduct either:”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 19 / 27 #QET4J0 #

Used refrigerant sold to a new owner as reclaimed refrigerant must meet the specifications in Appendix A to 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F. Which industry standard is that appendix based on?

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Answer

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Answer AHRI Standard 700-2016

Appendix A, Specifications for Refrigerants, states that it is based on AHRI Standard 700-2016, and § 82.164 requires reclaimers to reprocess refrigerant to all the applicable Appendix A specifications. AHRI Standard 740-2016 is the basis for Appendix B3, which tests the performance of recovery and recycling equipment, not refrigerant purity. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34 is cited in Appendix A only as the reference for the refrigerant names it covers. ASHRAE Standard 15 appears in EPA's test topics for equipment room safety requirements.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, Appendix A — Specifications for Refrigerants
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Appendix A to Subpart F of Part 82 (introduction and § 2.1) · Primary source · checked
    “This appendix is based on the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute Standard 700-2016, Specifications for Refrigerants. … These refrigerants are as referenced in the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 34 with Addenda”
  2. 40 CFR 82.164 — Reclaimer certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.164(a)(1) · Primary source · checked
    “Reclaim such refrigerant to all the specifications in appendix A of this subpart (based on AHRI Standard 700-2016, Specifications for Refrigerants) that are applicable to that refrigerant;”
  3. 40 CFR 82.158 — Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.158(d)(3) · Primary source · checked
    “must be certified by an approved equipment testing organization as being capable of achieving the level of evacuation specified in Table 2 of this section under the conditions of appendix B3 (for non-flammable refrigerants) based upon AHRI Standard 740-2016”
  4. Section 608 Technician Certification: Test Topics (last updated December 5, 2025)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Type 2 — Safety · Primary source · checked
    “Equipment room requirements under American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 15 (oxygen deprivation sensor with all refrigerants)”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 20 / 27 #S98ZKJ True / False #

Under 40 CFR 82.154(c), a distributor that sells HCFC-22 to certified technicians must keep invoices showing each purchaser's name, the date of sale and the quantity sold, and must keep those records for three years.

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Answer

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Answer True

True. Under § 82.154(c)(3)(i), anyone who sells or distributes class I or class II refrigerant, or, since January 1, 2018, non-exempt substitute refrigerant, must keep invoices that show the name of the purchaser, the date of sale and the quantity purchased. When the buyer qualifies by employing a certified technician, the seller must also keep the proof the buyer provided. All of these records must be kept for three years. HCFC-22 is a class II substance, so its sales are covered. Sales of exempt substitutes are excluded.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.154 — Prohibitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.154(c)(3)(i) · Primary source · checked
    “Persons who sell or distribute, or offer to sell or distribute, any class I or class II refrigerant, or, starting on January 1, 2018, any non-exempt substitute refrigerant must keep invoices that indicate the name of the purchaser, the date of sale, and the quantity of refrigerant purchased unless they are selling exempt substitutes”
  2. 40 CFR 82.154 — Prohibitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.154(c)(3)(i) · Primary source · checked
    “In instances where the buyer employs a person certified under § 82.161 or 40 CFR part 82, subpart B, the seller must keep the documentation provided by the buyer to demonstrate such employment. All records must be kept for three years.”
  3. Ozone-Depleting Substances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Introduction · Primary source · checked
    “The ODS are split into two groups under the Clean Air Act: Class I ODS, such as chlorofluorocarbons … (CFCs), and Class II ODS, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons … (HCFCs).”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 21 / 27 #AYRTS1 #

Under the definition of "technician" in 40 CFR 82.152, which of these persons is a technician?

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Answer

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Answer A building owner who attaches gauges to the building's own chiller

Section 82.152 defines a technician by the work, not the job title: anyone who, in maintaining, servicing or repairing an appliance other than an MVAC, could reasonably be expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit. Attaching or detaching hoses and gauges is one of the listed activities, and technicians can include owners and operators of appliances, so the building owner qualifies. A car's air conditioner is an MVAC, which the definition excludes; MVAC servicing for consideration needs Subpart B certification instead. Replacing pipe insulation and painting the appliance are listed as activities not reasonably expected to violate the circuit.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of technician · Primary source · checked
    “Technician means any person who in the course of maintenance, service, or repair of an appliance (except MVACs) could be reasonably expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit and therefore release refrigerants into the environment.”
  2. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of technician · Primary source · checked
    “Activities reasonably expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit include but are not limited to: Attaching or detaching hoses and gauges to and from the appliance; adding or removing refrigerant; adding or removing components; and cutting the refrigerant line.”
  3. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of technician · Primary source · checked
    “Technicians could include but are not limited to installers, contractor employees, in-house service personnel, and owners and/or operators of appliances.”
  4. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of technician · Primary source · checked
    “Activities such as painting the appliance, rewiring an external electrical circuit, replacing insulation on a length of pipe, or tightening nuts and bolts are not reasonably expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit.”
  5. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161(a)(1)(vi) · Primary source · checked
    “Persons who maintain, service, or repair MVAC appliances for consideration must be certified in accordance with 40 CFR part 82, subpart B.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 22 / 27 #TNTTZC #

A technician services a large chiller that uses R-134a, a medium-pressure refrigerant. Apart from Universal certification, which certification type covers this work under 40 CFR 82.161?

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Answer

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Answer Type II

Section 82.161(a)(1)(ii) requires persons who maintain, service, repair or dispose of medium-, high- or very high-pressure appliances (other than small appliances, MVACs and MVAC-like appliances) to be certified as Type II technicians. Type II is therefore not limited to high-pressure equipment. R-134a is one of the examples of a medium-pressure refrigerant in § 82.152. Type I covers small appliances and Type III covers low-pressure appliances. No exemption exists for medium-pressure equipment, and since 2018 the rule has also covered non-exempt substitute refrigerants.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161(a)(1)(ii) · Primary source · checked
    “(ii) Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of medium-, high-, or very high-pressure appliances (except small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances) must be certified as Type II technicians.”
  2. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161(a)(1)(i) and (iii) · Primary source · checked
    “(i) Persons who maintain, service, or repair small appliances must be certified as Type I technicians. … (iii) Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of low-pressure appliances must be certified as Type III technicians.”
  3. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of medium-pressure appliance · Primary source · checked
    “Medium-pressure appliance means an appliance that uses a refrigerant with a liquid phase saturation pressure between 45 psia and 170 psia at 104 °F. Examples include but are not limited to appliances using R-114, R-124, R-12, R-134a, and R-500.”
  4. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161 (applicability) · Primary source · checked
    “Starting on January 1, 2018, this section applies to technicians and organizations certifying technicians that maintain, service, or repair appliances containing any class I or class II refrigerant or any non-exempt substitute refrigerant.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 23 / 27 #E2KJTF True / False #

Under Subpart F, a person can be treated as an apprentice, and so work without certification under close supervision, for up to four years from first registering with the Office of Apprenticeship.

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Answer

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Answer False

False. Section 82.152 limits apprentice status to two years from the date the person first registers with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship or a recognized State Apprenticeship Council. During that time § 82.161(a)(2) exempts the apprentice from certification only while a certified technician closely and continually supervises any work that could release refrigerant, and both the supervising technician and the apprentice are responsible for compliance. After two years the person must be certified to do that work.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of apprentice · Primary source · checked
    “Apprentice means any person who is currently registered as an apprentice in maintenance, service, repair, or disposal of appliances with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship (or a State Apprenticeship Council recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship). A person may only be an apprentice for two years from the date of first registering with that office.”
  2. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161(a)(2) · Primary source · checked
    “Apprentices are exempt from the requirement in paragraph (a)(1) of this section provided the apprentice is closely and continually supervised by a certified technician while performing any maintenance, service, repair, or disposal that could reasonably be expected to release refrigerant from an appliance into the environment”
  3. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161(a)(2) · Primary source · checked
    “The supervising certified technician and the apprentice have the responsibility to ensure that the apprentice complies with this subpart.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 24 / 27 #39HS7F True / False #

A person who recovers the refrigerant from a window air conditioner (a small appliance under 40 CFR 82.152) just so that the unit can be disposed of must be certified as a Type I technician.

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Answer

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Answer False

False. Section 82.152 lists window air conditioners among small appliances, which are factory-sealed with five pounds or less of refrigerant, and § 82.161(a)(1)(vii) states that persons who dispose of small appliances are not required to be certified. Type I certification is required for maintaining, servicing or repairing small appliances. The disposal itself is still regulated: whoever recovers the refrigerant must evacuate it to the required levels using recovery equipment that meets the standards in § 82.158.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.161 — Technician certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.161(a)(1)(i) and (vii) · Primary source · checked
    “(i) Persons who maintain, service, or repair small appliances must be certified as Type I technicians. … (vii) Persons who dispose of small appliances, MVACs, and MVAC-like appliances are not required to be certified.”
  2. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of small appliance · Primary source · checked
    “Small appliance means any appliance that is fully manufactured, charged, and hermetically sealed in a factory with five (5) pounds or less of refrigerant, including, but not limited to, refrigerators and freezers (designed for home, commercial, or consumer use), medical or industrial research refrigeration equipment, room air conditioners (including window air conditioners”
  3. 40 CFR 82.155 — Safe disposal of appliances
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.155(a) · Primary source · checked
    “Persons recovering refrigerant from a small appliance, MVAC, or MVAC-like appliance for purposes of disposal of these appliances must evacuate refrigerant to the levels in § 82.156(b) through (d) using recovery equipment that meets the standards in § 82.158(e) through (g)”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Section 608 Regulations

Form 25 / 27 #AZ8S4S #

Which Section 608 term means to remove refrigerant in any condition from an appliance and store it in an external container, without necessarily testing or processing it?

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Answer

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Answer Recover

Section 82.152 defines recover as removing refrigerant in any condition from an appliance and storing it in an external container without necessarily testing or processing it. Recycle goes further: the refrigerant is cleaned, for example with oil separation and filter-driers, for reuse in equipment of the same owner. Reclaim means reprocessing to all applicable Appendix A specifications and verifying that with the prescribed analysis. Mothball means evacuating an appliance to at least atmospheric pressure and temporarily shutting it down.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of recover · Primary source · checked
    “Recover means to remove refrigerant in any condition from an appliance and to store it in an external container without necessarily testing or processing it in any way.”
  2. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of recycle · Primary source · checked
    “Recycle, when referring to refrigerant, means to extract refrigerant from an appliance (except MVACs) and clean it for reuse in equipment of the same owner without meeting all of the requirements for reclamation. In general, recycled refrigerant is cleaned using oil separation and single or multiple passes through devices, such as replaceable core filter-driers”
  3. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of reclaim · Primary source · checked
    “Reclaim means to reprocess recovered refrigerant to all of the specifications in appendix A of this subpart (based on AHRI Standard 700-2016, Specifications for Refrigerants) that are applicable to that refrigerant and to verify that the refrigerant meets these specifications”
  4. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of mothball · Primary source · checked
    “Mothball means to evacuate refrigerant from an appliance, or the affected isolated section or component of an appliance, to at least atmospheric pressure, and to temporarily shut down that appliance.”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Three R Definitions

Form 26 / 27 #YDN9D8 True / False #

In Section 608 terms, recycling refrigerant means cleaning it to all of the purity specifications that reclaimed refrigerant must meet.

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Answer

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Answer False

False. Section 82.152 defines recycling as extracting refrigerant from an appliance and cleaning it for reuse in equipment of the same owner without meeting all of the requirements for reclamation, typically with oil separation and filter-driers that reduce moisture, acidity and particulates. Reclaiming is the step that reprocesses refrigerant to all applicable Appendix A specifications and verifies them by analysis. That difference matters at sale: used refrigerant generally may be sold to a new owner only after a certified reclaimer has reclaimed it.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of recycle · Primary source · checked
    “Recycle, when referring to refrigerant, means to extract refrigerant from an appliance (except MVACs) and clean it for reuse in equipment of the same owner without meeting all of the requirements for reclamation.”
  2. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of recycle · Primary source · checked
    “In general, recycled refrigerant is cleaned using oil separation and single or multiple passes through devices, such as replaceable core filter-driers, which reduce moisture, acidity, and particulate matter.”
  3. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of reclaim · Primary source · checked
    “Reclaim means to reprocess recovered refrigerant to all of the specifications in appendix A of this subpart (based on AHRI Standard 700-2016, Specifications for Refrigerants) that are applicable to that refrigerant and to verify that the refrigerant meets these specifications”
  4. 40 CFR 82.154 — Prohibitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.154(d)(1) · Primary source · checked
    “No person may sell or distribute, or offer for sale or distribution, for use as a refrigerant any class I or class II substance or non-exempt substitute consisting wholly or in part of used refrigerant unless the refrigerant: (1) Has been reclaimed by a person who has been certified as a reclaimer under § 82.164;”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Three R Definitions

Form 27 / 27 #T9VYTB Choose 2 #

Which TWO steps are part of the 40 CFR 82.152 definition of "reclaim"? Choose TWO.

Select 2.
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Answer

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Answer Testing it with the analytical methodology the rule prescribes; Reprocessing it to all applicable Appendix A specifications

Reclaim means reprocessing recovered refrigerant to all of the Appendix A specifications that apply to it and verifying that it meets them using the analytical methodology in section 5 of Appendix A; § 82.164 has certified reclaimers verify each batch. Cleaning for reuse in the same owner's equipment describes recycling, and § 82.158(k) sets levels for equipment marketed as recycling equipment, not for reclaimed refrigerant. Removing refrigerant into an external container is the definition of recover. Appendix B3 is used to certify recovery and recycling machines, not part of the reclaim definition.

Sources

  1. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definition of reclaim · Primary source · checked
    “Reclaim means to reprocess recovered refrigerant to all of the specifications in appendix A of this subpart (based on AHRI Standard 700-2016, Specifications for Refrigerants) that are applicable to that refrigerant and to verify that the refrigerant meets these specifications using the analytical methodology prescribed in section 5 of appendix A of this subpart.”
  2. 40 CFR 82.164 — Reclaimer certification
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.164(a)(2) · Primary source · checked
    “Verify that each batch of such refrigerant reclaimed meets these specifications using the analytical methodology prescribed in appendix A of this subpart”
  3. 40 CFR 82.152 — Definitions
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Definitions of recover and recycle · Primary source · checked
    “Recover means to remove refrigerant in any condition from an appliance and to store it in an external container without necessarily testing or processing it in any way. … Recycle, when referring to refrigerant, means to extract refrigerant from an appliance (except MVACs) and clean it for reuse in equipment of the same owner”
  4. 40 CFR 82.158 — Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.158(k) · Primary source · checked
    “Equipment that is advertised or marketed as “recycling equipment” must be capable of recycling the standard contaminated refrigerant sample of appendix B2, B3, or B4 of this subpart (as applicable) to the levels in the following table”
  5. 40 CFR 82.158 — Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · § 82.158(d)(3) · Primary source · checked
    “must be certified by an approved equipment testing organization as being capable of achieving the level of evacuation specified in Table 2 of this section under the conditions of appendix B3 (for non-flammable refrigerants) based upon AHRI Standard 740-2016”

Updated · Exam outline: CORE: Three R Definitions

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