ShareControversy over R1234yf: EC confirms enforcement of MAC Directive by January 1, 2013
Despite the safety concerns expressed by Daimler and calls for an additional moratorium in the refrigerant transition schedule, the EC restated on December 20, 2012, that “the MAC Directive will be fully enforced as of January 1, 2013”
The announcement in September 2012 by Daimler, which manufactures Mercedes-Benz cars, of its intention to continue to use R134a in its vehicles air-conditioning systems instead of R1234yf triggered many reactions. This decision was based on the results of additional tests simulating a head-on collision showing that R1234yf could be flammable in a hot engine compartment (see Newsletter of the IIR, No. 52).
Following that announcement, German carmakers, especially Volkswagen, have urged to take a close look at the Daimler data. A new SAE International Cooperative Research Project (CRP) including 13 European major automobile manufacturers was set up recently to perform an updated engineering review of R1234yf usage in vehicles. The previous study concluded that R1234yf was “a safe and acceptable alternative refrigerant”.
To date, the majority of manufacturers involved in the new CRP “do not believe that any of the new information reviewed will lead to a change in the overall risk assessment” which is planned to be completed in the second quarter of 2013.
Despite the safety concerns expressed by Daimler and calls for an additional moratorium in the refrigerant transition schedule – the European Commission (EC) had delayed enforcement of its original January 1, 2011 deadline – , the EC restated on December 20, 2012, that “the MAC Directive will be fully enforced as of January 1, 2013”
Following that announcement, German carmakers, especially Volkswagen, have urged to take a close look at the Daimler data. A new SAE International Cooperative Research Project (CRP) including 13 European major automobile manufacturers was set up recently to perform an updated engineering review of R1234yf usage in vehicles. The previous study concluded that R1234yf was “a safe and acceptable alternative refrigerant”.
To date, the majority of manufacturers involved in the new CRP “do not believe that any of the new information reviewed will lead to a change in the overall risk assessment” which is planned to be completed in the second quarter of 2013.
Despite the safety concerns expressed by Daimler and calls for an additional moratorium in the refrigerant transition schedule – the European Commission (EC) had delayed enforcement of its original January 1, 2011 deadline – , the EC restated on December 20, 2012, that “the MAC Directive will be fully enforced as of January 1, 2013”