Govt to tighten refrigerant norms, match global standards

The government is tightening refrigerant norms by aligning regulations with international standards to phase out the use of global-warming-potential (GWP) cooling gases, according to two people familiar with the matter.

- Dhirendra Kumar

The new rules will cover refrigerants used in refrigeration, air conditioners, solvents and aerosols to align with global environmental commitments. These will require manufacturers to adopt alternative refrigerants and comply with updated packaging and safety standards, the people said.

The Bureau of Indian Standards, under the ministry of consumer affairs, is revising norms to eliminate high-GWP refrigerants, improve quality and enhance regulatory alignment.