HFPE Excluded For Definition Of VOC Under Clean Air Act

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a final rule revises the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This revision adds four chemical compounds to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOC on the basis that each of these compounds makes a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. These compounds are four hydrofluoropolyethers (HFPEs) commonly known as HFE-134, HFE-236cal2, HFE-338pcc13, and H-Galden 1040X/ H-Galden ZT 130.

If an entity uses or produces any of these four HFPE compounds and is subject to the EPA regulations limiting the use of VOC in a product, limiting the VOC emissions from a facility, or otherwise controlling the use of VOC, then the compound will not be counted as a VOC in determining whether these regulatory obligations have been met. This final rule may also affect whether any of these compounds is considered a VOC for state regulatory purposes, depending on whether the state relies on the EPA's definition of VOC. The final rule is effective on March 14, 2013.

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