Parts stores in Wisconsin will be able to begin selling refrigerant for motor vehicles in less-than-15-pound containers, thanks to AAIA-supported legislation that was signed by the governor on April 2.
While sale of R-12 refrigerant has been banned in the entire U.S. since the mid-1990s, Wisconsin has been the only state that took the additional step of prohibiting the sale of its replacement – R-134a – in small, consumer-sized containers.
“We are pleased that with the enactment of this law, Wisconsin car owners will once again have the choice on whether they have their vehicle serviced by a professional or to do the work themselves,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO.
R-134a was designated as the replacement refrigerant for R-12 since use of R-134a would require a minimal change in vehicle air conditioning systems and it does not have an impact on the ozone. Initially, there was significant concern that car owners would attempt to add the R-134a into a vehicle that was using R-12, thus causing cross contamination and ruining the vehicle A/C system.
However, the state legislature found that in the nearly 20 years since the transition to this new refrigerant, there is no longer a need to have this regulation on the books.
