Is the use of R-12 (also called CFC-12) banned?
No. The production or importation of CFC-12 in the USA is banned because according to the EPA it depletes the Ozone layer. However, use of CFC-12 is not banned. Even though production of CFC-12 ended on December 31, 1995, use of CFC-12 is still permitted and both recycled R-12 and R-12 manufactured before the Production Ban is still readily available. You can continue to use the CFC-12 that is in your vehicle now, and your service technician can continue to put it in your vehicle, as long as supplies are available. CFC-12 used today is constantly being recovered and recycled, and CFC-12 produced in 1994 and 1995 is being placed into inventory, so that there is still refrigerant available. • Does the EPA require the fixing of Automotive Air Conditioning Systems that leak? No. The EPA does not require that automotive A/C system leaks be fixed. However states or municipalities can pass such laws requiring leaks to be fixed. For example the state of Wisconsin, the cities of Austin, Texas a
