Refrigerant Ban Injunction Pauses New York Commercial Refrigeration Rules
Key Highlights
- The Appellate Division issued an injunction stopping enforcement of New York's refrigerant ban until further review.
- A survey found 71% of residents believe regulations will raise grocery costs, and 87% worry about food supply disruptions.
- Public awareness of Part 494 remains low, with 71% of respondents unfamiliar with the regulation prior to the survey.
Albany, New York — The Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Third Department, has issued an injunction preventing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation from enforcing a ban on two refrigerants used in commercial refrigeration systems across the state.
The injunction will remain in place until the court determines whether the broader regulation should be overturned.
The ruling comes as concerns grow over the potential impact of New York’s refrigeration regulations on grocery costs, equipment repairs, and food supply operations.
According to a statewide survey commissioned by Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), many New York homeowners believe the regulations could affect affordability and refrigeration system maintenance.
The survey found that 71% of respondents believe refrigerant regulations will increase costs for grocery stores and food retailers. In addition, 87% said they would be concerned about higher food prices if refrigerant shortages or service delays disrupted grocery store operations.
Survey results also showed support for revisiting regulations if they create supply chain or affordability challenges:
- 82% said regulations should be adjusted or delayed if they risk increasing food costs or causing supply disruptions;
- 65% believe refrigeration regulations could make repairs more difficult or contribute to store closures; and
- 86% said reliable access to refrigerants for repair and maintenance is important for grocery stores and food suppliers.
“These survey results confirm that consumers are worried about policies that disrupt refrigeration access and their consequences on grocery expenses,” said Alex Ayers, Vice President of Government Affairs at HARDI. “The court’s decision is a crucial opportunity for policymakers to fully evaluate the economic and operational impacts of these regulations on families and the broader food supply chain.”
The survey also found that 80% of respondents support slowing down or adjusting regulations if they increase costs for homeowners, grocery stores, or consumer goods such as food.
Despite the attention surrounding Part 494, public awareness of the regulation remains limited. According to the survey, 71% of respondents said they had not heard of Part 494 before participating.
HARDI continues to urge the New York State Legislature to address concerns surrounding Part 494 and prevent additional economic impacts on consumers and businesses.
The survey included 500 New York State homeowners who are U.S. citizens and was conducted by YouGov between April 23 and May 4. The reported margin of error was plus or minus 5.4%.