DuPont Refrigerants successfully completed settlement with TA Fresco involving the packaging and sale of counterfeit illegal DuPont Suva 134a.
TA Fresco, a company in the Philippines, was supplying refrigerants to a service provider in the shipping industry. In 2012, an investigation was taken by DuPont and confirmed that TA Fresco was selling R-134a refrigerant cylinders with incorrect spelling and markings, which indicates counterfeit product. Upon further testing of the contents of the cylinders, the product was determined to be made up of more than 90 per cent R-12 refrigerant. In the third quarter of 2013, a settlement was reached via negotiation – a formal public apology in a Philippines national newspaper, full compensation for the destruction of the counterfeit refrigerant and monetary compensation for the illegal distribution of this product, reported by ARC News.
“This case was not only a blatant counterfeit situation but also involved the illegal smuggling of ODS, violating the Montreal Protocol”, said by Elizabeth M Sassano, Global brand protection manager of DuPont Refrigerants.
It is suggested that people watch out any counterfeit refrigerants, as these kinds of refrigerants may result in a danger to the marketplace including safety issues and possibility of equipment failure.