Regulations on refrigerants
Federal and state regulations are driving the U.S. industry away from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and toward refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP). On the federal level, this transition gained significant momentum with the passage of the AIM Act in 2020. Recently, however, the U.S. EPA announced it is reconsidering the Technology Transitions Rule—one of the AIM Act’s three main pillars—potentially delaying upcoming compliance dates.

Despite this, industry sentiment suggests that even if federal implementation is postponed, the broader move toward low-GWP refrigerants will remain on course. Bipartisan backing for the AIM Act and sustainability pledges from major retailers indicate that any regulatory slowdown is likely to be short-lived. Meanwhile, several states, including California, New York and Washington, are independently advancing their own regulatory timelines, reinforcing the industry’s overall shift toward more sustainable practices.

Growth of Natural Refrigerant Adoption
The use of natural refrigerants is growing in U.S. commercial and industrial applications. Retailers are increasingly adopting them across their stores as a sustainable, future-proof solution against current and future regulations in their refrigeration systems. Additionally, the shift to natural refrigerants is a key piece for many retailers to meet their internal sustainability goals. A few key retailers making the shift to natural refrigerants include Aldi and Ahold Delhaize.

Why Adopt CO2?
Although not the only refrigerant solution, CO2 is poised to be a leading refrigerant for many grocers due to its ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) and A1 safety classification, making it a natural refrigerant that aligns with regulation and sustainability trends. Extensively used in Europe’s commercial refrigeration sector for decades, CO2 is a proven and versatile refrigerant, appearing in systems such as pumped secondary, cascade or transcritical booster designs.

Equipment manufacturers are actively implementing technology to enhance CO2 system efficiency across various climates. However, each technology must be carefully assessed for its specific application by end-users, given the increased system complexity and costs.

PFAS
Lower-GWP synthetic refrigerants and blends are increasingly being explored as viable alternatives to natural refrigerants. Retailers considering these should remain educated as potential regulation of PFAS, or better known as “forever chemicals”, is becoming an increasingly relevant topic in discussions about many of these lower GWP synthetic refrigerants.

A particular focus is on TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), a short-chain PFAS that can form as a breakdown product of certain refrigerants. Due to its stability and water solubility, TFA has been found in rainwater, soil, and even drinking water sources. That said, any regulatory measures remain in the early, exploratory stages.

Training
Workforce training emerged as a central theme across the conference, with alignment from all stakeholders—from end-users to engineers, manufacturers, and contractors. The shared concern is twofold: a rapidly aging technician workforce with limited new talent entering the field, and the introduction of unfamiliar refrigeration technologies.

This combination is expected to create a scarcity of expertise, positioning skilled labor as an essential asset. As a result, there is a strong consensus that now, more than ever, targeted investment in training, particularly in field maintenance and installations, is essential for maintaining compliance and operational resilience.

Please get in touch with Kyle or Steven directly to learn more or discuss how Cuhaci Peterson can assist you with all your refrigeration needs.