What: On May 26, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed exempting road and intermodal container transport refrigeration units (TRUs) from the leak repair requirements established under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act.
Why: A TRU is a type of integrated refrigeration appliance installed on a vehicle or intermodal container to regulate the temperature of the cargo. Road TRUs are refrigerant-containing appliances most often used on vans, trucks, and semi-trailers to cool cargo at a specific temperature or at multiple temperatures simultaneously (e.g., to transport both fresh and frozen foods).
In 2024, the EPA established, among other provisions, leak repair requirements for refrigerant-containing appliances with a charge size of 15 pounds or more that contain a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) or certain substitutes for HFCs. The typical charge size for road and intermodal container TRUs can range from 5 to 15 pounds. In some instances, the charge size exceeds 15 pounds, but it is generally 18 pounds or less.
The agency is now proposing to exempt refrigerant-containing road and intermodal container TRUs from the leak repair requirements.
Action: Read the proposed rule and submit comments before the July 10, 2026, deadline.
If a party wishes to request a public hearing, the request must be made before 5:00 PM ET on June 1, 2026. If a public hearing is held, it will be on or before June 10, 2026.
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