Which legislation established the requirements for refrigerant handling?

The Clean Air Act of 1990 established the requirements for refrigerant handling, particularly concerning the regulation of ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). This legislation imposed strict rules on the use and disposal of these refrigerants to protect the stratospheric ozone layer. The Act sets forth provisions for the proper recovery, recycling, and reclaiming of refrigerants to minimize their release into the atmosphere.

In the context of refrigerant handling, the Clean Air Act includes provisions for technicians to be trained and certified in proper refrigerant management practices, such as those mandated in the EPA's Section 608 regulations. This means that anyone involved in the HVAC/R industry must adhere to these practices to minimize harm to the environment, in line with the intent of the legislation.

Other legislative acts mentioned, while important in their respective domains, do not specifically address refrigerant handling in the same way. The Clean Water Act primarily focuses on water pollution, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act deals with waste management and the disposal of hazardous waste, and the National Environmental Policy Act establishes a framework for considering environmental impacts in federal projects but does not specifically regulate refrigerant handling