California Refrigerant Compliance
California refrigerant compliance made simple.
Buying refrigerant for a California system? Start with what is already in the equipment and what you are doing—service, repair, retrofit, or replacement. We’ll help route you toward the reclaimed, existing-system, or lower-GWP buying path that fits current California and federal refrigerant rules and your application.
First: can this refrigerant be sold into California under the applicable state and federal rules? Second: is it allowed and appropriate for your specific equipment and end use? A product being below a sales threshold does not automatically make it approved for every California application. Always confirm equipment compatibility, applicable end-use restrictions, and technician requirements.
What changed under California SB 1206?
California is phasing down the sale and distribution of newly produced bulk hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) based on global warming potential. Reclaimed HFCs are treated differently under the law, which is why reclaimed refrigerant can remain an important service path for qualifying existing equipment.
Above 2,200 GWP
Beginning January 1, 2025, California prohibits sale, distribution, or entry into commerce of newly produced bulk HFCs above the 2,200-GWP threshold, subject to applicable exceptions. CARB identifies R-404A and R-507 as examples affected by this stage.
Above 1,500 GWP
The newly produced bulk-HFC threshold tightens to 1,500 GWP. Products below today’s threshold may be affected at this stage.
Above 750 GWP
The threshold tightens again to 750 GWP. Long-term equipment and refrigerant planning becomes increasingly important.
This section summarizes California’s SB 1206 bulk-HFC sales phase-down and is not legal or technical advice. Separate CARB end-use rules and other requirements can apply.
R-22 is an HCFC, not an HFC, so the SB 1206 GWP thresholds above do not determine R-22 eligibility. Federal production and import of new R-22 ended in 2020, but reclaimed R-22 remains available for servicing qualifying existing R-22 equipment. California refrigerant-management, application, and technician requirements can still apply.
What are you trying to do?
Choose the path that best describes the equipment in front of you. This keeps a California buyer from clicking into the wrong product simply because it is available elsewhere in the catalog.
I have an R-404A or R-507 system.
For applicable existing systems, reclaimed refrigerant can provide a service-supply path where allowed. Reclaimed R-404A is the first product to check. Confirm the equipment, application, and current California end-use requirements before charging.
Shop reclaimed R-404A →I have an existing R-22 system.
R-22 is an HCFC, so it is not governed by SB 1206’s HFC sales threshold. For qualifying existing R-22 equipment, reclaimed R-22 remains a federal service-supply path. Send quantity, equipment/application and California ZIP for current reclaimed stock and pricing.
Request reclaimed R-22 pricing →I have an R-407C system.
CARB lists R-407C at roughly 1,774 GWP—below the current 2,200 bulk-HFC cutoff, but above the 1,500 threshold that begins in 2030. Separate California end-use rules restrict R-407C in certain new equipment, so confirm the application before purchase.
View R-407C →I’m retrofitting or replacing commercial refrigeration equipment.
R-448A and R-449A are lower-GWP commercial refrigeration options used in appropriate applications and retrofit programs. They are not universal drop-in substitutes—follow OEM guidance and a qualified retrofit procedure.
Compare R-448A and R-449A →I need a lower-GWP option for compatible equipment.
R-513A may fit certain compatible medium-temperature refrigeration, chiller, and R-134a-related applications. Confirm the equipment and use case before purchase.
View R-513A →I’m not sure what California allows for my system.
Send us the equipment type, current refrigerant, quantity, delivery ZIP, and whether you are servicing, retrofitting, or replacing. We can route the purchasing request before you place the order.
Ask the California supply team →Featured California buying options and current online pricing.
These are products we currently carry for reclaimed-service, existing-system, or lower-GWP purchasing paths. Pricing and inventory can change; click the listed product for the current live price or request delivered commercial pricing for larger quantities.
Reclaimed R-404A — 24 lb
$479
Service option for applicable existing R-404A equipment where current California rules and equipment requirements allow.
View reclaimed R-404A
Reclaimed R-22
Request current pricing
For qualifying service and maintenance of existing R-22 equipment. Current reclaimed supply is quoted by quantity and California destination.
Request reclaimed R-22 pricing
R-407C — 25 lb
$319
For existing-system service and other eligible California applications. Below today’s 2,200 bulk-HFC threshold, but separate end-use restrictions still apply.
View R-407C
R-448A — 25 lb
From $299
For compatible commercial refrigeration equipment and approved transition applications.
20: $5,798
40: $10,796
R-449A — 25 lb
From $299
Commercial refrigeration option for compatible systems and properly planned retrofit work.
20: $5,700
40: $11,160
R-513A — 30 lb
From $699
For compatible lower-GWP refrigeration and chiller applications requiring R-513A.
20: $13,680
40: $26,000
Product pricing shown reflects current online catalog pricing when this guide was prepared and is subject to change without notice. Freight, hazmat, taxes, account pricing, and delivery requirements can affect landed cost.
Reclaimed is not the same as simply “used” refrigerant.
Under U.S. EPA rules, recovered refrigerant is refrigerant removed from equipment and stored externally. Reclaimed refrigerant has been reprocessed and verified to the applicable purity specification by an EPA-certified reclaimer. For California buyers maintaining legacy equipment, reclaimed refrigerant can be critical—but R-404A and R-22 follow different regulatory frameworks.
Easy to buy. Fast to move. Compliance-aware from quote to shipment.
Tell us the system.
Current refrigerant, equipment/application, quantity, California ZIP, and whether this is service, retrofit, or replacement.
We route the buying path.
We distinguish reclaimed legacy-service needs from existing-system and lower-GWP requests and flag when equipment or end-use restrictions should be confirmed.
We prepare the order.
Current stock, delivered commercial pricing, freight coordination, and supporting documentation can be handled through the same sales path.
Real warehouse. Real inventory. Real freight going out.
These photos are from Refrigerants Center operations in Arlington, Texas. For a California buyer placing a commercial order, the point is simple: you are buying from a stocking operation that handles refrigerant, pallets, and freight every day.
California commercial purchasing support.
For contractors, facilities, supermarkets, cold-storage operators, resellers, and procurement teams, the compliance question is only part of the order. We can also support the purchasing workflow around it.
Looking for R-507, R-422B, R-438A, or another high-GWP refrigerant?
Do not assume that a newly produced bulk cylinder shown elsewhere in the catalog can be shipped into California. Several high-GWP HFC products are above California’s current 2,200-GWP bulk-HFC sales threshold. Tell us what equipment you are servicing and we can help identify a reclaimed or otherwise appropriate purchasing path before the order is placed.
R-407C is different: its roughly 1,774 GWP is below the current 2,200 bulk-HFC sales cutoff, but separate California end-use restrictions can still apply and the bulk-HFC threshold tightens to 1,500 in 2030.
Keep your current supplier. Add a California-ready second source.
Use Refrigerants Center when your primary source is out of stock, you need reclaimed supply for qualifying legacy equipment, you are comparing delivered pricing, or you want a backup vendor established before the next urgent requirement.
California refrigerant questions, answered.
Can I buy reclaimed R-22 in California?
R-22 is an HCFC, not an HFC, so California’s SB 1206 HFC GWP threshold is not the controlling rule. Federal production and import of new R-22 ended in 2020, but EPA allows reclaimed R-22 to service existing R-22 equipment. California application, refrigerant-management, and technician requirements still need to be confirmed.
Can I buy R-407C in California?
Under SB 1206’s bulk-HFC sales threshold alone, R-407C at roughly 1,774 GWP is below the current 2,200 threshold. However, California separately restricts R-407C in certain new equipment/end uses, and the bulk-HFC threshold tightens to 1,500 beginning in 2030. Confirm the equipment and use before purchase.
Can I buy newly produced R-404A in California?
For bulk HFC sales governed by SB 1206, California’s 2025 phase-down prohibits newly produced bulk HFCs above 2,200 GWP from sale, distribution, or entry into commerce, subject to applicable exceptions. CARB identifies R-404A as an affected example.
Can I buy reclaimed R-404A in California?
California’s SB 1206 framework allows reclaimed HFCs rather than treating them as newly produced bulk HFCs. Applicable distribution, end-use, equipment, certification, and other regulatory requirements still apply.
What about R-507?
CARB identifies R-507 as another refrigerant above the current 2025 threshold for newly produced bulk HFC sales. For an existing R-507 system, contact us before purchasing so the service requirement can be routed appropriately.
Is R-448A or R-449A a direct replacement for R-404A?
Do not treat either refrigerant as a universal drop-in. They can be used in appropriate commercial refrigeration retrofit or equipment applications when the equipment, manufacturer guidance, service procedures, and applicable regulations support the change.
What is the difference between recovered and reclaimed refrigerant?
Recovered refrigerant has been removed from equipment and stored. Reclaimed refrigerant is reprocessed and verified to the applicable purity specification by an EPA-certified reclaimer.
Can I still buy R-410A in California?
Under the SB 1206 bulk-HFC sales threshold alone, R-410A is below the current 2,200-GWP threshold. The threshold tightens in 2030, and separate California end-use and equipment rules can apply before then. Confirm the specific application rather than relying only on the sales threshold.
What if I do not know which refrigerant to buy?
Send the current refrigerant, equipment or model information, application, quantity, California delivery ZIP, and whether the work is service, retrofit, or replacement so the purchasing request can be routed before ordering.
Can you quote 10, 20, 40, or pallet quantities to California?
Yes, where the product and application are eligible. Several products have commercial quantity tiers, and larger or mixed requirements can be quoted with delivered freight.
Official California and federal refrigerant resources.
For the controlling rules and current agency guidance, review CARB: SB 1206 and AB 663, CARB Refrigerant Management Program guidance for distributors, wholesalers and reclaimers, and U.S. EPA guidance on recovering, recycling and reclaiming refrigerants.
Important: This page is a purchasing guide, not legal, engineering, or equipment-service advice. Regulations can change. Refrigerants Center does not determine whether a refrigerant is suitable for a particular system. Purchasers and technicians are responsible for confirming current CARB, EPA, manufacturer, certification, equipment, and end-use requirements before purchase and use.