The European Commission’s top scientific and technical body has concluded that Honeywell’s air conditioning refrigerant, HFO-1234yf, is safe for use in automobiles, according to news released by Australia Paint and Panel.
“A scientific review of the research regarding the safety aspects of the use of refrigerant R1234yf in Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) systems, published today by the European Commission, concludes that there is no evidence of a serious risk in the use of this refrigerant in MAC systems under normal and foreseeable conditions of use,” the European Commission said in statement on 6 March following an extensive evaluation by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). “The review reinforces the conclusions by the German market surveillance authorities, the KBA (Kraftfahrt Bundesamt), which stated that there is no sufficient supporting evidence of a serious risk that would entail the intervention of the authorities.”
JRC yesterday issued a 17-page report supporting its conclusions after a three-month evaluation during which it thoroughly reviewed the extensive testing done by a range of leading automakers as well as the world’s foremost automotive engineering body, SAE International, and independent test agencies.
“The JRC’s independent and unimpeachable report leaves no doubt that HFO-1234yf is safe for automotive applications,” said Ken Gayer, vice president and general manager for Honeywell Fluorine Products. “We continue to see strong adoption by global automakers of this new refrigerant as they work to meet new environmental regulation, especially in Europe, and are investing in production capacity to ensure adequate supply.”
Look back into the debate and view on R1234yf:
In February 2014, following its entry to UK, R1234yf has been approved for use in the UK and Ireland from BOC, the UK’s biggest industrial gases business and a member of the Linde Group.
In November 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that will permit R-1234yf to be sold to consumers so that they can recharge their vehicle air conditioning systems.
In August 2013, Toyota Motor Corp. has decided to switch back to the old car air conditioner refrigerant R134a for some of its Toyota and Lexus models in Europe due to public concern about the safety of the new refrigerant R1234yf.
In 2012, Mercedes decided to revert back to R134a.