The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) said new U.S. regulatory changes, recent auctions of seized refrigerants, refrigerant testing, and enforcement training remain central issues in efforts to prevent illegal refrigerant trade. The group published Issue 8 of its Illegal Trade Bulletin on May 27, 2026.
EIA said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s May 21, 2026 final rule rolling back certain Technology Transitions Rule requirements under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act could increase illegal trade risks. The rule prolongs HFC use in the food retail sector to 2032. EIA said a clear transition aligned with the HFC phasedown is important for reducing demand for high-GWP HFCs, supporting alternative technologies, and avoiding market confusion and price spikes.
The bulletin also reported that the U.S. Department of Treasury and U.S. Customs and Border Protection held an auction for seized HFC refrigerants from April 27-30, 2026, later extending bidding to May 7. Refrigerants offered included R-410A, R-404A, and R-134a, totaling nearly 16 tons (more than 31,600 pounds). At the close of the auction, only four lots of R-410A, R-404A, R-134a, R-401C, and R-407C were sold, totaling less than 2,000 pounds.
According to the auction details cited by EIA, refrigerants were sold “as-is” without warranties. Prospective bidders had to provide analyzer equipment during inspection, with testing at their own expense and liability. Buyers also acknowledged that legally required testing and sampling must be completed before resale. EIA said advance AHRI-certified laboratory testing could improve future auction participation and help verify refrigerant composition and contamination levels.
EIA also participated in a Customs Training Workshop on the Montreal Protocol in Suriname on May 25-26, 2026. The session covered illegal refrigerant and global enforcement trends, including enforcement challenges, lessons learned, resources, collaboration, technological monitoring tools, and Kigali Amendment ratification. In April 2026, the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain also held a two-day enforcement training workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, focused on monitoring refrigerant and cooling equipment imports.
EIA said 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment and described it as an opportunity to strengthen global cooperation and investment in preventing illegal refrigerant trade.
