On December 3, 2010, the South Coast AQMD adopted Rule 1415.1 (PDF, 154kb) to control emissions of high-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants used in stationary, non-residential refrigeration systems.  With the adoption of Rule 1415.1, refrigeration systems with a full charge capacity of greater than 50 pounds of high-GWP refrigerants are now regulated solely under the new rule.  Such systems are typically used in supermarkets, cold storage warehouses, food processing plants, and process cooling operations.  Rule 1415.1 is equivalent to the Refrigerant Management Program (RMP), a statewide regulation adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to reduce emissions of high-GWP gases from stationary refrigeration systems. The RMP took effect January 1, 2011.

As of March 1, 2016, all applicable refrigeration systems are required to register with CARB through the RMP.  

The registration and annual reporting period will open on January 1 of every year. The deadline for submitting Annual Reports and making the fee payment is March 1 of every year.

In addition, the owner or operator of any refrigeration system, defined by the rule, is required to:

• Conduct leak inspections, i.e., monthly, quarterly, or annually based on the refrigeration system's full charge capacity, unless automatic leak detection devices are installed;

• Repair any refrigerant leak within 14 days of initial leak detection;

• Keep on site records of all leak inspections, leak repair work and other servicing of the refrigeration system, including receipts of refrigerant purchases; and

• Submit an Annual Report and pay applicable fees with CARB through the RMP.

Rule 1415.1 also contains requirements for any person who installs, repairs, maintains, services, relocates, or disposes of any refrigeration system, and for any person who recycles, recovers, reclaims, distributes or sells high GWP refrigerants.

Rule 1415.1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)