Regulations

New NASRC Factsheet: Propane (R-290) Charge Limit

We're pleased to release a new NASRC factsheet to accelerate the adoption of the newly established propane charge limit into standards and building codes!

Overview: Propane (R-290) is a safe, climate-friendly refrigerant with tremendous potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from supermarket refrigeration.

Last year, the UL safety standard (60335-2-89) was updated to incorporate higher allowable charge sizes of propane. The goal of this factsheet is to accelerate updates to remaining codes and standards.

Topics Covered:

  • Propane as a safe, cost-effective, and climate-friendly refrigerant

  • Propane applications in supermarkets

  • Approved UL safety standard that allows higher propane charge limits

  • The latest status on the process to update remaining codes and standards

Audience: Building code officials, policymakers, government agencies, or other entities involved in remaining codes and standards updates.

New NASRC Factsheet: Nat Refs in Supermarkets

New NASRC Factsheet
Natural Refrigerants In Supermarkets

We're pleased to release a new NASRC factsheet on natural refrigerants in supermarkets!

Overview: Natural refrigerants are the most climate-friendly refrigerant alternatives and offer a future-proof solution to high-GWP HFC refrigerants. This factsheet summarizes why natural refrigerants in supermarkets are one of the most impactful, permanent, and cost-effective climate solutions.

Topics Covered:

  • HFCs as potent greenhouse gases

  • Supermarket refrigeration HFC emissions

  • Regulations phasing down HFCs

  • Natural refrigerants overview, benefits, and opportunities

Audience: Policymakers, government agencies, or other entities with greenhouse gas reduction targets.

NASRC Releases 2021 Annual Report

Naturally Better Together
Announcing NASRC's 2021 Annual Report


NASRC is proud to release our 2021 Annual Report, Naturally Better Together, which summarizes our collective progress to eliminate the barriers to natural refrigerants in supermarkets. 2021 was filled with global uncertainty, but together with our members and partners, we made unprecedented progress to:

  • Offset first costs of natural refrigerant technologies

  • Increase natural refrigerant technology options

  • Ensure service workforce readiness

  • Increase awareness and support for the transition away from HFCs

We hope you take a moment to celebrate our shared accomplishments towards building a naturally better future for supermarket refrigeration. None of this would be possible without your support.

Want to support our work further?

Consider making a tax-deductible donation to NASRC.

NASRC Releases NEW Policy Resources!

Building Your Policy Toolbox
New NASRC Resources


2022 marks the start of new HFC regulatory requirements at the state and federals levels. We're pleased to announce TWO new resources to help our members and partners stay up-to-date of on the latest policy information:

HFC Policies & Refrigerant Regulations by State

Amidst increasing regulatory pressures at the state and federal levels, we know it can be difficult to stay on top of new and changing regulations. This new tool tracks state and federal regulatory activities, and includes:

  • Interactive map of regulatory status by state

  • Summary of regulatory details by state

  • Overview of federal refrigerant regulations

  • Printable PDF summary

Alternative Refrigerants for Commercial Refrigeration

As the first step of the U.S. HFC phase-down takes effect, the supermarket industry is seeking clarity on alternative refrigerant options and their current approval status. This tool provides a high-level summary of current and future refrigerant options for U.S. commercial refrigeration applications, including:

  • Stationary Refrigeration Remote Systems

  • Remote Condensing Units

  • Self-Contained Refrigerated Cases

This release is kicking off a larger educational resource initiative we recently launched. Stay tuned for more new resource and contact us with questions.

NASRC's Top 10 Accomplishments In 2021

2021 presented the industry with new challenges, but that didn't stop our members from stepping up to accelerate our mission more than ever before!
Here's a snapshot of our top 10 collective accomplishments from 2021:

Check out our top 10 collective accomplishments in 2021!

1.Sustainable Refrigeration Summit

Hosted the first-ever Sustainable Refrigeration Summit to bring together over 900 supermarket refrigeration stakeholders, government agencies, and policymakers to address the challenges to achieving zero emissions in supermarket refrigeration.

2. Funding Support for Natural Refrigerants

Developed new sources of funding for natural refrigerants: Authored a federal tax credit proposal that is currently in circulation, secured a buyer for our carbon financing pilot, and advanced progress to solidify refrigerant GWP as a metric for utility incentives.

3. Modular Solutions for Existing Facilities

Accelerated technology solutions to enable the modular transition of existing stores to natural refrigerants. Published a report characterizing retailer demand for natural refrigerant-based condensing units to bring more products to the US market. Accelerated the approval of a higher R290 charge limit to increase available self-contained solutions.

4. Workforce Development

Drafted a CO2 curriculum for trade schools & community colleges with ESCO Group, industry stakeholders, and HVACR schools to help build a future workforce that is well-versed in natural refrigerants. Kicked off a workforce development plan to grow the technician workforce.

5. State Incentive Programs

Secured $880,000 in incentives for 12 natural refrigerant projects in California and coordinated the grant deliverables. Mobilized our members and partners to support additional program funding. Worked with other states to share lessons learned and outline future incentive programs.

6. Retailer Leak Reduction Initiative

Formed a Retailer Best Practices Committee to facilitate a retailer-driven leak reduction initiative. Retailers drafted equipment specifications to proactively reduce refrigerant leaks over the lifespan of a system.

7. Pilot Projects & Research Studies

Initiated new field studies and pilot projects on advanced refrigeration technologies to better understand energy performance and other ongoing costs of natural refrigerant solutions. Contributed to the design of a comprehensive M&V study as part of the CARB FRIP grant program.

8. Strengthened Member Network

Grew our membership network to nearly 150 organizations representing over 38,000 food retail locations. Members provided support to NASRC initiatives and participated in member activities, such as Progress Group meetings and monthly End-User Roundtable meetings.

9. Policymaker Engagement

Strengthened relationships with policymakers at the state and federal levels to inform effective policies that address challenges and support the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants. Evidenced by the 60+ policymaker attendees from the federal government and 16 states at our Sustainable Refrigeration Summit.

10. Education & Awareness

Increased awareness of natural refrigerants as a leading climate solution through media coverage, podcast interviews, and other speaking engagements to expand support for the transition away from HFCs.

Thank you to our members, who are behind all of these achievements!
We look forward to building on the momentum we've created together in 2022.

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