U.S. EPA Finalizes Automatic Leak Detection Mandate for Large Refrigeration Systems

Under regulations implementing the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, the EPA has set compliance deadlines for automatic leak detection systems on refrigerant-containing appliances with a full charge of 1,500 pounds or more of a regulated substance or substitute with a GWP greater than 53. Appliances installed on or after January 1, 2026, must have such systems installed at the time of installation or within 30 days. Appliances installed between January 1, 2017, and January 1, 2026, must comply by January 1, 2027. The systems must detect refrigerant concentrations as low as 10 parts per million and alert operators at 100 ppm for direct-detection systems, or when measurements indicate a loss of 50 pounds or 10% of full charge, whichever is less, for indirect systems. Annual auditing and calibration are required.